Who is Manuel Lázaro? Accused gunman in Keyla González' livestream death still on the run

Manuel Lázaro has been identified as the shooter involved in another horrible TikTok live-stream shooting. His full name is Manuel Andrés Álava Lázaro, and he shot Keyla Andreina González Mercado after she teased him during the live video. While little is known about Lázaro, he is reportedly connected to Mercado's friend as her boyfriend.

Manuel Lázaro was identified because Keyla Mercado shouted his name on the live video twice, right before he shot her. After speaking with Keyla's family, they shared that although they did not know Manuel directly, they said:

"We only knew him by sight; we never spoke with him. People who know him told us he has a teardrop tattoo on his face and a rifle on his neck," which could suggest that he is a part of a gang or associated with the prison culture.

At the time of writing, Manuel is in hiding after he ran away from the crime scene via a motorbike. The police are still looking for him.

What happened right before Manuel Lázaro shot Keyla Mercado?

TikTok star Keyla Andreina González Mercado was doing a live video with her friend and her friend's boyfriend, who was later identified as Manuel Lázaro. According to reports, the three were drinking alcohol together before Lázaro pulled the trigger on Keyla. The incident happened in the TikTok influencer's home in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on July 26, 2025.

Right before she was shot twice in the head, Keyla was seen teasing Manuel on the live stream. She said in Spanish:

"Shoot me twice, I beg you, but later, let me get drunk... You’ll hit me in the head twice, you'll kill me in one go, I don't want to suffer, two in the head."

Her friend in the background can be heard saying "No, no," and protesting against Keyla's taunts. A few seconds later, Mercado was screaming Manuel Lázaro's name right before he shot her twice. Her friend ended the live video and reported the incident to Keyla's family.

Content warning: This video contains graphic or distressing content. Viewer discretion is advised.

How did Keyla Andreina González Mercado describe herself?

In her last TikTok post, the influencer shared some of her goals with her followers. She said:

"My goal is clear: to continue being a good woman, to walk hand in hand with God, to be a simple and humble woman without harming anyone."

She continued to describe herself as someone with:

"a beautiful soul, a strong character, a mischievous look, a pure heart, and an unforgettable smile."

The tragic shooting of Keyla Andreina González Mercado has left the TikTok community in shock, especially as her final words on the livestream eerily foreshadowed the violence. The police continue their search for Manuel Lázaro.

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