A 32-year-old Canadian woman has been killed and at least 13 others injured after a gunman opened fire at Mexico’s iconic Teotihuacán archaeological site, sending tourists fleeing in panic just weeks before the country hosts the opening match of the FIFA World Cup.
The attack unfolded late Monday morning at the ancient pyramid complex, one of Mexico’s most visited tourist attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Authorities said the shooter, identified as Mexican national Julio César Jasso Ramírez, later took his own life.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as gunfire rang out across the historic site.
“There was a big push and panic of everybody running at the same time to get out,” a British couple told the BBC.
According to local prosecutors, the gunman fired from an elevated position near the Pyramid of the Moon, one of Teotihuacán’s most prominent structures. Police recovered a firearm, a bladed weapon, and live ammunition at the scene.
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Thirteen people, ranging in age from six to 61, were injured and taken to hospital. Among them were foreign nationals, including two Colombians, a Russian, and another Canadian, officials confirmed. A witness told Reuters that a young boy was shot in the leg during the attack, which reportedly began around 11:00 local time.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear. Authorities noted that the attacker appeared to fire some shots into the air while shouting and carrying a digital tablet, though further details have not yet been released.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences and pledged a full investigation.
“What happened today in Teotihuacán deeply pains us. I express my most sincere solidarity with the affected individuals and their families,” she said in a statement, adding that her security cabinet had been instructed to provide all necessary support. She also confirmed she was in contact with the Canadian embassy.
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Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand confirmed that one Canadian citizen had been killed and another injured, stating that consular officials were assisting those affected.
The attack comes at a sensitive time for Mexico, with just seven weeks remaining before it co-hosts the FIFA World Cup. The opening match is scheduled to take place in Mexico City on June 11, with millions of international visitors expected to attend the tournament.
Teotihuacán itself had been earmarked as part of the World Cup experience, with plans for immersive nighttime shows for tourists.
Although Mexico continues to grapple with cartel-related violence, officials emphasized that this incident does not appear to be linked to organized crime. Attacks targeting tourists remain rare, but the shooting is likely to heighten concerns over safety ahead of the global sporting event.
In response to ongoing security challenges, Mexican authorities have announced plans to deploy nearly 100,000 security personnel nationwide during the World Cup.
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For now, investigators are working to determine what drove the gunman to carry out the attack at one of the country’s most treasured cultural landmarks.
