Mexican Social Media Influencer César Gastélum Shot Dead During Livestream

Two attackers riding a motorcycle shot and killed Mexican social media influencer César Gastélum on Tuesday outside a fast-food establishment in Culiacán, Sinaloa. Gastélum was broadcasting live on social media when the shooters fired.

Credit: @cesargastelum_57 on Instagram

Cesar Gastelum, known to fans as "Cesarín," had nearly 600,000 followers on TikTok under the handle @cesargastelum04 and regularly streamed on Kick under the username "compasexor".

He was talking with friends near the drive-thru exit when two individuals wearing helmets rode past on a motorcycle.

Video footage from the stream captured Gastélum noticing the riders and expressing alarm.

He spoke into his device during the live broadcast:

"No, oiga, me sentí bien mal. No, no, no, oiga, esos chavalos me dan miedo."

"No, sir, I felt really bad. No, no, no, sir, those guys scare me."

The motorcycle returned to the drive-thru area minutes later. The driver pointed a gun directly at Gastélum and fired multiple rounds before speeding away.

Paramedics arrived at the location shortly after receiving emergency calls. First responders checked Gastélum and declared him dead at the scene.

Sinaloa state security officials confirmed the death and launched a citywide security operation. State prosecutors opened a murder case. Forensic technicians transported the body to the Forensic Medical Service for an autopsy.

Police officers have made no arrests.

Authorities have not released an official motive for the murder. Security forces established checkpoints across Culiacán to track down the suspects.

Culiacán remains engulfed in conflict as rival criminal groups fight for territory throughout Sinaloa state. Shootings in public locations have surged across the metropolitan area.

The assault mirrors the May 2025 killing of 23-year-old beauty content creator Valeria Márquez. A gunman shot Márquez to death during a TikTok broadcast inside a salon in Zapopan, Jalisco.

Federal authorities linked Márquez's killing to organized crime.

Security Minister Omar García Harfuch named Ramón Ángel Álvarez Ayala, known as "El R-1," as the leader of a Jalisco New Generation Cartel cell that ordered her death.

Officers arrested Álvarez Ayala in July.

Investigating officers are securing surveillance camera footage from nearby businesses near the restaurant.

Detectives are analyzing Gastélum's digital streams to reconstruct his exact schedule before the attack.