Forensic workers carry the body of a victim down a pyramid after a gunman opened fire on authorities in Teotihuacan, Mexico, on Monday, April 20, 2026.
Eduardo Verdugo/AP
hide caption
toggle caption
Eduardo Verdugo/AP
MEXICO CITY – An armed man standing atop one of the historic Teotihuacan pyramids at an archaeological site north of Mexico’s capital opened fire on tourists on Monday, killing a Canadian and wounding at least 13 people. Officials said.
The attacker was identified as Julio Cesar Jasso, 27, of Mexico, a state official told the AP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the case. Authorities said Jasso later died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and security officers found a gun, a knife and ammunition. The Mexican state government confirmed on Monday night that Jasso was the only attacker in the attack.
The local government said seven people were injured in the shooting. How others were injured was not disclosed, but several people fell when the shooting began, some while climbing the pyramid.
The local government said those taken to hospitals for treatment included six Americans, three Colombians, one Russian, two Brazilians and one Canadian. The youngest person to be injured was 6 years old; Mexican officials said the oldest was 61.
A man opened fire on tourists at the historic Teotihuacan pyramid outside Mexico City on Monday.
Kevin S. Viennese/AP
hide caption
toggle caption
Kevin S. Viennese/AP
Videos and photographs published by local media showed a man, later identified as Jasso, standing with a gun at the top of a pyramid while people scurried for cover. Several gunshots were heard in the video.
The Teotihuacan Pyramids, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a series of massive structures built by three different ancient civilizations on the outskirts of Mexico City. As one of Mexico’s most important tourist destinations, the site attracted more than 1.8 million international visitors last year, according to government figures.
The shooting occurred shortly after 11:30 a.m. when dozens of tourists were at the top of the Pyramid of the Moon. According to a tour guide who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity for security reasons, the firing began from above while standing on the platform of the structure.
“Some people, because they were scared … they threw themselves face down on the ground, and the rest of us started going down,” the guide said, describing how the shooter opened fire after seeing tourists descending the pyramid’s stairs.
Another group of visitors lay motionless on the pyramid’s platform to avoid being targeted by the shooter, whom authorities have not yet identified.
Brenda Lee of Vancouver, British Columbia, said she was waiting to buy a souvenir when she and others in her group thought they heard firecrackers.
“Before we knew it, someone said, ‘No, it’s a shooting, run’ and we saw people coming over,” he told CTV News, one of Canada’s national television broadcasters.
“There were thousands of people there and a lot of gunshots,” Lee said.
Lee said the scene immediately turned chaotic as people tried to flee.
“And then a fellow jumped in,” he said. “It was somebody trying to get away, and he fell to the next level, but he fell on his back, and it… it was just horrible.”
A local guide reported that in previous years, archaeological site staff had conducted security scans before people entered the area, but this has since been discontinued.
The Pyramid of the Moon, left, and the Pyramid of the Sun, rear right, are seen along with smaller structures lining the Avenue of the Dead in Teotihuacan, Mexico, on March 19, 2020.
Rebecca Blackwell/AP
hide caption
toggle caption
Rebecca Blackwell/AP
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on social media that the shooting would be investigated and that she was in contact with the Canadian Embassy.
“We are deeply saddened by what happened today in Teotihuacan. I express my deep solidarity with the affected individuals and their families,” she wrote.
Anita Anand, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said on Twitter that “as a result of a horrific act of gun violence, one Canadian was killed and another was injured in Teotihuacan” and that her “hearts go out to their families and loved ones.”
Later in the evening, US Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson also expressed “deep concern” and sadness over the deaths and multiple injuries, and said on a post on Twitter that the US “stands ready to provide assistance as needed while Mexican authorities continue their investigation.”
The National Institute of Anthropology and History said in a statement that the Teotihuacan archaeological site will remain closed until further notice.
