A Mexican beauty influencer was shot multiple times while conducting a TikTok livestream from her salon.
Valeria Márquez, 23, was fatally shot on camera on Tuesday while broadcasting to a live audience on TikTok, where she had 113,000 followers, according to the New York Times.
Márquez was casually sitting in front of the camera while working at a salon in Zapopan, Mexico, when she revealed that someone had left her a gift. She unwrapped the parcel to see what was inside.
“It’s a little piglet!” she exclaimed in Spanish, referring to the stuffed plush toy she was holding in her lap.
Márquez is seen gazing beyond the camera while holding the stuffed piglet in her lap. According to Reuters, she was heard saying, “They’re coming,” followed by the words, “Hey, Vale?” She replied, “Yes,” and then muted the stream.
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Seconds later, Márquez clutched her midsection as bullets struck her in the chest and head, killing her instantly. The livestream continued until another woman picked up the phone and turned it off.
According to the New York Times, the Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office spokesman, Denis Rodríguez, stated that two men approached the salon on motorcycles. One of them, wearing a mask, walked into the salon and asked for Márquez. When she confirmed her identity, he shot her before fleeing the salon on his motorcycle.
The Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office stated that the shooting was being investigated as femicide, or the deliberate murder of women and girls.
According to Rodríguez, Márquez was likely unaware of her alleged murderer, who was “simply her executioner.” He also stated that the two men had stopped by the salon earlier in the day, telling other employees that they had a “gift” to give Márquez.
According to Reuters, Márquez mentioned earlier in her livestream that she was told someone came by the salon while she was not present, saying they had a “expensive gift” for her. Reuters reported that Márquez appeared concerned during that livestream segment.