A 24-year-old Mexican social media personality known for creating comedy and lifestyle content on TikTok was fatally shot while broadcasting live to his followers on Tuesday evening. Cesar Gastelum was filming from a parking lot in Tres Rios, Culiacan, when two armed individuals on a motorcycle approached and opened fire around 8:15 p.m. local time. The incident occurred during an active livestream, with video footage capturing the moment of the attack. Two companions who were present with Gastelum escaped injury.
Culiacan, located in northern Mexico, has emerged as a focal point for ongoing criminal violence as rival factions compete for territorial control. Since September 2024, at least 12 social media influencers have been killed in the region. The incident adds to a troubling pattern of violence targeting content creators, following the May 2025 murder of beauty influencer Valeria Marquez, who was similarly shot during a TikTok livestream in Jalisco state.
Mexican authorities have launched an investigation into Gastelum’s death, with federal investigators examining social media posts and surveillance footage for clues. President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that investigators are working to identify both the perpetrators and the motive behind the killing. Officials noted that some of Gastelum’s social media content referenced criminal factions, though specific details have not been released. No arrests have been made as of the investigation’s initial phase.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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