Sinaloa Cartel Operator Turned Influencer Gunned Down in Mexico

A former Sinaloa Cartel operator turned social media influencer died Saturday evening after a lone gunman barged into his home and shot him multiple times. The influencer’s murder is believed to be tied to the ongoing turf war between rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, which has spilled onto social media and already led to the murder of at least six influencers.

On Saturday evening, at least one gunman barged into the home of Camilo “Pollo Loco” Ochoa in the state of Morelos in Central Mexico. The gunman fired several shots, killing Ochoa instantly, El Sol de Sinaloa reported. By the time authorities responded to the scene, the gunman had fled. Investigators found Ochoa’s bullet-riddled body in his bathroom, wearing the same clothes he had worn earlier in the day during one of his livestreams.

Ochoa received various threats in the past. Earlier this year, Sinaloa Cartel gunmen had posted a photograph of Ochoa along with several other influencers who were supposed to be aligned with the Chapitos faction. At least six influencers on that list have already been killed. The murder comes at a time when the Chapitos faction has been at war for over a year with the Mayiza faction.

As Breitbart Texas reported, the two factions went to war after the leaders of Los Chapitos captured top Sinaloa Cartel leader kingpin  Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and turned him over to U.S. authorities. That perceived betrayal set off a brutal turf war that has killed thousands and led to thousands of abductions.

According to various local news outlets, Ochoa had been part of the Sinaloa Cartel and had worked under convicted trafficker Damaso “El Mini Lic.” Lopez, before going to prison. After his release, Ochoa became an influencer who routinely discussed organized crime in his streams.