Gunman Kills Canadian Tourist, Wounds 13 Including 6 Americans at Mexico's Teotihuacán Pyramids

A lone gunman opened fire from atop the Pyramid of the Moon at the Teotihuacán archaeological site on Monday, killing a 32-year-old Canadian woman and injuring 13 others. The attack, which occurred approximately 30 miles northeast of Mexico City, left six Americans among the wounded. The assailant died by suicide at the scene shortly after the shooting began.

The Details

The violence erupted between 11:20 and 11:30 a.m. on April 20, 2026, when the gunman took a position on the Pyramid of the Moon. Mexican authorities identified the shooter as 27-year-old Julio César Jasso Ramírez, a native of Mexico City. According to officials, Ramírez died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at approximately 11:45 a.m.

Of the 13 people injured, seven sustained gunshot wounds, while six others were injured while attempting to flee, including several who suffered falls. One individual was treated for an anxiety attack. The victims' ages ranged from 6 to 61 years. Mexico's security cabinet confirmed that six Americans were among the casualties; two were shot and four sustained other injuries. As of Tuesday morning, five victims—including four Americans and one Brazilian—had been released from the hospital.

Authorities recovered a Smith & Wesson Model 10 .38 special caliber revolver, a knife, and 52 rounds of ammunition from the scene. Witnesses described a chaotic environment with no coordinated evacuation. One American tourist from Seattle reported seeing people fall from viewing platforms and hearing screams, while a British couple noted that officials on site did not provide directions for visitors to leave the area.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her solidarity with the victims and their families via social media, stating that the events 'deeply pain us.' She confirmed that she has instructed the Security Cabinet to conduct a thorough investigation into the massacre.

Canadian officials have also responded to the tragedy. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed the death of the Canadian national and noted that another was wounded. Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his condolences and stated that Canada is coordinating with Mexican authorities to resolve the incident.

Context

Teotihuacán is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited archaeological zones in Mexico, predating the Aztec civilization. The site is renowned for the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. The attack appears to have been a premeditated act; Mexican officials allege that the gunman visited the pyramids on multiple occasions previously to conduct reconnaissance on specific locations.

Investigation into the shooter's motives has revealed a fixation on mass casualty events. Authorities found literature, images, and handwritten manuscripts in the gunman's backpack relating to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. Notably, the attack took place on the 27th anniversary of the Columbine shooting, as well as on Adolf Hitler's birthday. The attorney general described Ramírez as having a 'psychopathic profile' characterized by a tendency to mimic historical violent events.

Concerns regarding site security have surfaced following the shooting. Reports indicate that security scans at Teotihuacán had been discontinued in previous years, a claim supported by tourists who entered the site with backpacks without being subjected to any checks.

What's Next

The National Institute of Anthropology and History has closed the Teotihuacán site until further notice. Authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the gunman's planning and whether he acted entirely alone.

The incident comes at a sensitive time for Mexico, which is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup starting June 11 in Mexico City. The shooting occurred just seven weeks before the tournament's commencement. In response to ongoing security concerns and cartel violence, Mexico plans to deploy nearly 100,000 security personnel to ensure the safety of international visitors during the World Cup.

U.S. and Canadian embassies remain in close contact with Mexican security forces to monitor the medical status of the remaining hospitalized victims and to coordinate the repatriation of the deceased Canadian national.