skip to main content

Canadian tourist killed, six others injured in Mexico pyramid shooting

Forensic experts work on the Pyramid of the Moon following a shooting
Forensic officers work on the site following the gun attack

A Canadian tourist was killed and six other people were wounded when a man opened fire at Mexico's Teotihuacan archaeological site, authorities said.

The gunman died by suicide after opening fire at the heavily visited destination in central Mexico, home to pre-Aztecan pyramids, according to a security official.

The shooting occurred on the Pyramid of the Moon, a 45m high monument visitors are allowed to climb using steep steps carved of volcanic rock.

Six people were wounded by gunfire and taken to local hospitals, including a Canadian woman, a Colombian woman and child, a Brazilian and two Americans.

Seven other people were injured in the scramble for safety and were treated at the scene after the gunman - identified as Julio Cesar Jasso Ramirez of Mexico - opened fire.

Red Cross personnel carry a body down the Pyramid of the Moon
Red Cross personnel carry the body of the Canadian tourist down the pyramid

The shooting stunned tourists at one of Mexico's most visited pre-Hispanic sites, less than two months before the 2026 World Cup kicks off with games in Mexico, the United States and Canada.

State authorities at the scene seized a firearm, a knife and unused ammunition and evacuated tourists from the premises.

More than 2,000 years old, the pyramid city near Mexico City attracted over 1.8 million visitors in 2025, tourism officials said.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in a post on X called the attack "a horrific act of gun violence."

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called for a thorough investigation, and said she sent personnel to the site to provide assistance.

"What happened today in Teotihuacan deeply pains us," Ms Sheinbaum posted on X.

An aerial view of the Pyramid of the Moon following a shooting
Teotihuacan archaeological site is a popular destination for tourists

Located about 50km from the capital Mexico City, Teotihuacan draws domestic and foreign tourists to see its pyramids and its Avenue of the Dead.

Federal security officials said police and the national guard were dispatched to the area following the attack.

Videos on social media showed the gunman firing periodic shots from a pistol about halfway up the Pyramid of the Moon while some tourists took cover behind stairs below and others fled.

"A person is opening fire on us, take care friends, send security," a voice from one video, which AFP has not verified, can be heard saying.

Other videos show authorities examining the pyramid in a complex cordoned off with crime-scene tape.

Designated as a World Heritage site of "outstanding universal value" by the United Nations, the monuments at Teotihuacan were built in the pre-Hispanic Classic period - a golden age of Mesoamerican history - between the first and seventh centuries.

police officers and police cars stand at the entrance to an archaeological site in mexico
Police are seen at the entrance of the archaeological site following the shooting

Mexico's nearly 200 archaeological sites are popular with tourists, and although accidents have been reported, this is the first reported case of armed violence in decades.

While Mexico continues to struggle with frequent drug gang-related violence, untargeted mass shootings are relatively rare.

Mexico expects over 5.5 million visitors for the World Cup in June.

American tourist Anna Durmont said she was walking towards the pyramid when she was startled by the sight of emergency vehicles and police.

"It actually felt extremely calm," Ms Durmont said, explaining she had not heard gunfire.

"It was very measured. The park is full of souvenir sellers and they hadn't left. It wasn't clear to us until we got closer that there was a serious emergency," she said.