Mexico City, Mexico - Mexican authorities arrested a man who allegedly shot and killed an influencer during a live broadcast early in August, the country's security minister confirmed.
César Daniel Nolazco Gastélum was attacked and killed on August 4 while livestreaming in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa state and a battleground for warring drug factions.
Gastelum, who had more than 500,000 TikTok followers, was dressed as a food delivery worker and taking part in a social media challenge along with two friends when a motorcycle stopped next to him and he was shot in the head.
There were two men on the motorbike, one driving and the other thought to have discharged the firearm that killed Gastelum.
Mexican Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said the alleged killer was located in the state of Puebla, in central Mexico.
During the arrest operation, police officers came under attack by three armed individuals and killed one of them, Harfuch wrote in a statement to X that has been translated from Spanish.
Authorities arrested the suspected killer of Gastelum and another person.
"Today, during the operation to apprehend him, [Mexican] investigative agents were attacked by three armed subjects," Harfuch wrote.
"In response to the aggression, our colleagues acted with courage and determination to protect the safety of the other members of the operational convoy. One of the attackers lost his life, and two were detained, including Jesús Alberto 'N'."
Preliminary investigation showed that the influencer's killing was related to his social media posts "alluding to a faction of a criminal group," Mexico's security secretariat said.
"We especially recognize the bravery, discipline, and commitment of the investigative colleagues who participated in this action," Harfuch wrote.
"The investigations continue to apprehend all those responsible. There will be no impunity."