Mexican influencer Cesar Gastelum shot to death by suspects on motorcycle during livestream

Mexican social media influencer Cesar Gastelum was shot and killed on Tuesday while livestreaming with friends outside a fast food restaurant in the northwestern city of ​Culiacan, local authorities said.Gastelum, who had nearly 600,000 followers on TikTok ​and was known for comedy videos, was streaming live outside ⁠a fast food restaurant when two people on a motorcycle, both wearing ​helmets, approached him and his friends.In a recording of the livestream, seen ​by Reuters, the driver of the motorcycle appeared to fire a gun directly at Gastelum.A security official in Sinaloa state confirmed Gastelum’s death and said a significant security ​operation was underway.The killing comes amid persistent violence in Culiacan, the capital ​of Sinaloa, which has been at the center of a conflict between rival organized crime ‌factions ⁠competing for control.The shooting also recalled the May 2025 killing of Mexican beauty influencer Valeria Marquez, who was shot to death during a TikTok livestream at the salon where she worked in Zapopan, in the western state of ​Jalisco.Marquez, 23, ​was killed after ⁠a man entered the salon and opened fire, according to prosecutors.Her death was investigated under femicide protocols.In July, Mexican ​authorities announced the arrest in Jalisco of Ramon Angel ​Alvarez Ayala, ⁠known as “El R-1,” whom Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch identified as the leader of a criminal cell linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).Authorities have ⁠linked ​Alvarez Ayala to the killing of Marquez ​and accused him of ordering and financing the November 2025 murder of Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo....