Mexican social media influencer Cesar Gastelum was shot dead while livestreaming with friends outside a fast-food restaurant in Culiacán, a city in the violence-ravaged Sinaloa state of Mexico, on August 4. The killing shocked social media followers in Mexico and once again underscores the danger of ongoing criminal violence in the region.
Gastelum was with friends at a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet in the parking lot as two men approached on a motorcycle, local officials say. Witness accounts and video of the livestream show that both suspects were wearing helmets. One of the attackers, according to the broadcast, dismounted the motorcycle, approached the group, and opened fire before fleeing with the driver.
It was happening in broad daylight and was shown live on the influencer’s livestream, which had followers watching. Gastelum was seen laughing and chatting with friends just minutes before the shooting took place, a video posted on social media shows. The attack occurred just a few blocks from the local prosecutor’s office and during heavy traffic at the time, a brazen act.
Emergency services and law enforcement officers rushed to his aid quickly, but Gastelum died of his injuries. Police later confirmed his death and launched an investigation into the killing. State police in Sinaloa announced that huge security operations were going on in the area as investigators searched for those behind the crime.
The suspects were not identified by the police, and no arrests have been made. But preliminary reports indicate that the killing may be related to the cartel-related violence that has already played out in large parts of Sinaloa in recent years. The attack has not been publicly attributed to any specific criminal organisation yet, investigators say.
Mexico’s Security Cabinet and local prosecutors said the investigation is continuing and that investigators are looking into various lines of inquiry. Gastelum had posted some content on social media about criminal organisations, but the government has not commented on whether this material was part of the attack. It would be premature to conclude until all evidence has been considered, they said.
The killing comes amid a surge in violence in Culiacán, a city at the centre of a power struggle between rival factions linked to organised crime. Security forces have been trying to contain violence from clashes between criminal groups, raising concerns about public safety throughout the region.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the murder and called for an investigation. When she spoke to reporters, she said those responsible must be brought to justice and authorities have to understand what motivated the crime. Her words reflect the fears of public figures and social media personalities who operate in areas affected by organised crime.
Gastelum was an online personality with a great following. He had more than 650,000 followers on TikTok and had a huge presence on Instagram and other social media platforms. Most of his content was comedy videos, lifestyle clips, and material set to Mexican regional music. He would often refer to himself as “blico,” a term associated with elements of Mexico’s cartel-influenced subculture.
After the news of his death, tributes and messages of condolence poured in from fans and fellow content creators. Many felt quite shocked that the livestream could end in such a violent manner and called for better protection of Mexico’s citizens and safety to protect them from rising violence in some parts of the country.
Investigators are not done looking for answers and have more to do with the death of Cesar Gastelum, a reminder of the security challenges in Mexico.
