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Social media influencer shot and killed while livestreaming outside a restaurant
KCTV • • world
Key Points:
- Social media influencer César Gastélum was fatally shot during a livestream in Culiacan, Sinaloa, highlighting ongoing violence against online personalities in Mexico linked to cartel conflicts.
- The killing, carried out near the local prosecutor’s office, is suspected to be connected to cartel violence, with Gastélum having referenced criminal factions in his videos.
- Gastélum, who had over 650,000 TikTok followers, sometimes used imagery associated with cartel culture, such as wearing a white sombrero linked to rival groups in Sinaloa.
- This incident follows a similar livestream shooting of influencer Valeria Márquez in 2025, reflecting a broader pattern of criminal groups targeting influencers for various reasons including alleged cartel ties or information dissemination.
- Mexican authorities are investigating the case amid pressure to address cartel violence, with officials emphasizing the need to arrest the perpetrators and understand the motive behind the homicide.
