Philadelphia, PA, August 6, 2026 —

Culiacan, Sinaloa – A social media influencer, identified as César Gastélum, was fatally shot on Tuesday while broadcasting live on a social media platform from Culiacan, the capital of Mexico’s northwestern state of Sinaloa.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the shooting. Initial reports suggest a possible link to ongoing cartel violence in the region. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still under review.

Gastélum was known for creating comedy videos and other content that, at times, referenced cartel culture. He had amassed a significant online following, with over 650,000 followers on the platform TikTok.

The state of Sinaloa has long been a focal point for drug trafficking and associated violence, often involving powerful cartel organizations. Investigations into the motives and perpetrators of the attack are ongoing.



Story summarized from the original created by MEGAN JANETSKY on www.inquirer.com, see more information here.

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