Valeria Marquez Shot Dead on TikTok Live Stream
The killing of Valeria Marquez has sent shockwaves through Mexico, highlighting the country's struggles with violence against women and sparking demands for greater protection and justice for victims and their families, with many taking to social media to express their condolences and outrage over the senseless killing.
Valeria Marquez, a 23-year-old Mexican social media influencer, was fatally shot during a live TikTok stream at a beauty salon in Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara, leaving her nearly 200,000 followers in shock and sparking widespread outrage over the high rate of violence against women in Mexico.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when a man, posing as a gift bearer, entered the salon and shot Marquez while she was broadcasting. The motive behind the attack is currently unknown, and an investigation is underway. Marquez's death has highlighted the alarming levels of violence against women in Mexico, with the UN reporting that around 10 women or girls are murdered every day.
Mexico has one of the highest rates of femicide in Latin America, with 1.3 deaths per 100,000 women in 2023. The incident is being investigated as a case of femicide, a type of violence against women. Marquez's last words on the livestream were "they're coming" and "yes" before muting the sound, and then being shot. A person appeared to pick up her phone, showing their face briefly on the livestream before the video ended.
The death of Valeria Marquez has sparked a nationwide outcry, with many calling for greater action to be taken to address the high levels of violence against women in Mexico. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by women in the country and the need for urgent attention to be given to this critical issue.