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Gunman kills Canadian tourist at Teotihuacán pyramid
Mexican authorities confirmed on Tuesday that a 27-year-old man fatally shot a Canadian woman and injured 13 others before taking his own life atop the Pyramid of the Moon, a historic site near Mexico City. President Claudia Sheinbaum stated the attacker exhibited signs of psychological distress and was influenced by past violent incidents abroad.
Attacker acted alone, officials confirm
Julio César Jasso Ramírez, a Mexican national, planned and executed the assault independently, according to Mexico's top prosecutor. He arrived at the UNESCO-listed archaeological complex on Monday shortly before midday, carrying a handgun, multiple rounds of ammunition, a knife, and materials referencing mass shootings.
José Luis Cervantes Martínez, attorney general of the State of Mexico, revealed that Jasso Ramírez's belongings included documents linked to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in the U.S. Witnesses reported hearing the gunman mention the attack, which occurred exactly 27 years prior.
Timeline of the shooting
Jasso Ramírez climbed the ancient pyramid and opened fire from one of its platforms, striking visitors as they fled. Videos captured by tourists showed him issuing threats while gunshots rang out. A 32-year-old Canadian woman was killed, and 13 others, aged six to 61, sustained injuries. Seven victims suffered gunshot wounds, including two minors from Colombia and Brazil.
A National Guard officer and a local police officer scaled the structure to confront the shooter. During the standoff, Jasso Ramírez fired 14 shots at victims and officers before being struck in the leg by return fire. He then turned the gun on himself.
Security overhaul announced for tourist sites
Teotihuacán, which drew nearly 1.8 million visitors last year, was closed following the attack. President Sheinbaum announced the site would reopen on Wednesday with heightened security measures, including metal detectors at entrances. She acknowledged that archaeological zones currently lack screening protocols but pledged nationwide enhancements for both cultural and tourist locations.
"This act was not spontaneous. The individual had visited the site multiple times," Cervantes Martínez said during a press briefing.
José Luis Cervantes Martínez, Attorney General of the State of Mexico
Safety assurances ahead of World Cup
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to begin in Mexico City on June 11, Sheinbaum reassured the public of robust security plans. She met with FIFA organizers to discuss logistics and emphasized that Mexico remains a safe destination, citing 16 million international arrivals in the first two months of 2026 alone.
