Authorities have arrested Jesús Alberto, alias “El Dron,” the gunman who carried out the execution of content creator César Gastélum earlier this month in Culiacán, Sinaloa. The arrest, announced on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, marks a key breakthrough in solving the crime.
According to the investigation following his arrest, the hitman confessed to shooting the 24-year-old. During questioning, “El Dron” stated that the attack stemmed from comments Gastélum had made publicly regarding the criminal faction known as “La Chapiza,” part of the Sinaloa Cartel.
“For running his mouth—for talking too much about the Chapitos in Culiacán—and for having the backing of La Mayiza,” he said.
The detainee also claimed that the content creator was allegedly receiving funding from the rival group known as “La Mayiza.”
The killing took place on August 4, while Gastélum was waiting for an order outside a KFC fast-food restaurant in Culiacán during a live stream; part of the incident was captured on the recording. Two people accompanying him were unharmed during the execution.
Following the attack, the federal security cabinet incorporated an analysis of the streamer’s social media posts into the investigation to determine the motive. This crime is the latest in a series of attacks against content creators in the region, occurring amidst the territorial and internal disputes plaguing Sinaloa.
The detainee has been placed at the disposal of the appropriate judicial authorities to determine his legal status.
