The Teotihuacan pyramids shooting turned a busy day of sightseeing into panic and tragedy after authorities said a gunman opened fire on tourists at one of Mexico’s most visited archaeological sites, killing one Canadian and injuring at least 13 others.
The attack on Monday at the Pyramid of the Moon, a UNESCO World Heritage site north of Mexico City. Authorities identified the gunman as 27-year-old Julio Cesar Jasso of Mexico and said he acted alone before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities said security personnel found a gun, a knife and ammunition at the scene. Seven people suffered gunshot wounds, while other injuries happened during the chaos as visitors fell or rushed down the pyramid trying to escape.
AP reported that those hospitalised included six Americans, three Colombians, one Russian, two Brazilians and one Canadian, with victims ranging in age from 6 to 61.
A shooter opened fire on tourists at Mexico's Pyramids of Teotihuacán, killing a Canadian woman and injuring several others. pic.twitter.com/6EDMUbuewE
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 20, 2026Panic Unfolded at the Pyramid of the Moon
The shooting began shortly after 11:30 a.m. while dozens of tourists were at the top of the structure. A tour guide told AP that people threw themselves to the ground in fear, while others ran down the steps as the gunman kept firing.
Witness Brenda Lee of Vancouver said she first thought the sounds were firecrackers before realising they were gunshots. She described crowds running from the pyramid and a man jumping to a lower level as he tried to escape. Local media images showed visitors ducking for cover as the scene spiralled into chaos.
A local guide told AP that staff at the site had previously carried out security scans, but those checks had reportedly stopped. That detail is likely to intensify scrutiny over security arrangements at one of Mexico’s biggest tourist destinations.
Teotihuacan drew more than 1.8 million international visitors last year, underlining the scale of the site’s global importance. Following the attack, the National Institute of Anthropology and History said the site would remain closed until further notice.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the shooting would be investigated and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. Canada’s foreign affairs minister, Anita Anand, confirmed that one Canadian was killed and another wounded, while the US ambassador to Mexico also offered support
