Witnesses describe panic as gunman opens fire at Mexico pyramids site

Witnesses said tourists threw themselves face down and scrambled down steep stone steps as gunfire erupted from the top of the Pyramid of the Moon, turning one of Mexico’s most recognizable heritage sites into a scene of panic. The shooting at the Teotihuacan archaeological zone, about 40 to 50 kilometers northeast of Mexico City, killed a Canadian woman and injured at least 13 other people.

The attack struck shortly after 11:30 a.m. local time on Monday, April 20, 2026, inside a UNESCO World Heritage Site built between the first and seventh centuries A.D. The public-visit area spans 264 hectares and includes the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, the Avenue of the Dead, museums and other monumental complexes. It is one of the country’s most visited tourist destinations, drawing nearly 1.8 million visitors in 2025.

Mexican authorities identified the gunman as Julio Cesar Jasso, 27, a Mexican national. Security forces recovered a gun, a knife and ammunition at the scene, and officials later said he carried materials and literature referencing the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. Authorities said the attacker died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after the assault.

The injuries reached well beyond one country. Officials said six Americans were hurt, along with three Colombians, two Brazilians, one Russian, one Canadian, a 6-year-old boy and a 13-year-old. Seven people suffered gunshot wounds, while others were injured in falls during the rush to get away. Six of the seven other patients were later released from hospital.

The killing exposed how quickly violence can breach spaces that are supposed to symbolize national history, culture and public safety. Teotihuacan has long been treated as a relatively safe stop for domestic and foreign visitors, which made the attack especially jarring and has raised new alarms about security at major archaeological sites. The site was closed on Tuesday, April 21, while officials said protections would be maintained and tightened.

The shooting landed at a sensitive moment for Mexico, which is preparing to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the United States and Canada in less than two months. President Claudia Sheinbaum called the attack an isolated incident but pressed for stricter security checks, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed condolences and said Canada was working with Mexican authorities. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand also commented on Canada’s response as the government tracked the injured and the investigation.