Shot on Livestream Outside a Culiacán KFC: Judge Jails 25-Year-Old ‘El Dron’ in Murder of Influencer César Gastélum
A judge in Sinaloa on Wednesday ordered 25-year-old Jesús Alberto Hidalgo, alias “El Dron,” held in preventive detention on a charge of qualified homicide in the killing of César Daniel Nolazco Gastélum, the Culiacán content creator who was shot while broadcasting live outside a KFC on August 4, Infobae reported on September 23, 2026.
Charged, not yet on trial
According to Infobae, the Sinaloa State Prosecutor’s Office (FGE) executed an arrest warrant against Hidalgo for the homicide, and at an initial hearing on September 23 a judge imposed preventive detention while his legal status is resolved. The hearing is set to resume Friday, September 25, at 10:30 a.m., when the judge is expected to decide whether to formally bind him over for trial. Hidalgo has not been convicted of the killing.
The killing on camera
Infobae reported that Gastélum, known as “Cesarín,” was livestreaming on the Kick platform with two friends during a viral food-delivery challenge at about 8:15 p.m. on August 4 in a KFC parking lot on Enrique Sánchez Alonso Boulevard in Culiacán’s Tres Ríos development. Two assailants arrived on a motorcycle, and one fired multiple shots before both fled, according to the outlet. The attack was captured on the live transmission and on surveillance cameras.
A shootout with federal agents in Puebla
Hidalgo was already in custody. Infobae reported that on August 26, three armed men attacked federal agents during a National Intelligence Center operation in San Andrés Cholula, Puebla; one attacker died, and Hidalgo and Jesús Daniel Cázares were detained. Firearms, ammunition, narcotics and a vehicle were seized. In Puebla, the two face charges including attempted homicide, crimes against public officials, possession of methamphetamine and marijuana for distribution, and illegal weapons possession.
The cartel war backdrop
No official motive has been announced. Infobae noted that images of Gastélum wearing an “MZ” cap fueled speculation about ties to the Zambada faction, without official confirmation, and placed his death among numerous killings of content creators in Sinaloa amid fighting between “Los Chapitos” and “Los Mayos.” El Blog del Narco reported on August 10 that preliminary hypotheses attributed the attack to people under the command of Jesús Guillermo Flores Bautista, “El Caballo,” whom it described as a Chapitos operator in Culiacán — an allegation authorities have not confirmed.
Sources
- Infobae — “Dan prisión preventiva a ‘El Dron’ por el asesinato del influencer sinaloense César Gastélum” (September 23, 2026)
- El Blog del Narco — “La Chapiza fueron los ejecutores del Influencer César Gastélum por jalar para La Mayiza y presumirlo en redes sociales” (August 10, 2026)
This report reflects information published by Infobae and El Blog del Narco as of September 23, 2026. The Narco Blog has not independently verified these accounts. Hidalgo is presumed innocent; cartel attributions are unconfirmed, and details may change as the case proceeds.