Forensic employees carry the physique of a sufferer down a pyramid after authorities stated a gunman opened hearth, in Teotihuacan, Mexico, Monday, April 20, 2026.
Eduardo Verdugo/AP
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Eduardo Verdugo/AP
MEXICO CITY — An armed man standing atop one of many historic Teotihuacan pyramids opened hearth on vacationers Monday, killing one Canadian and leaving a minimum of 13 individuals injured on the archaeological website north of Mexico’s capital, authorities stated.
The shooter was recognized as 27-year-old Julio Cesar Jasso of Mexico, a state official advised the AP on situation of anonymity as a result of he isn’t licensed to talk about the case. Jasso later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities stated, and safety officers discovered a gun, a knife and ammunition. Jasso was the only real assailant within the assault, the State of Mexico authorities confirmed on Monday evening.
The native authorities stated seven individuals have been wounded by gunshots. How the opposite individuals have been injured was not disclosed, however plenty of individuals fell when capturing began, some whereas climbing on the pyramids.
These taken to hospitals for therapy have been six Individuals, three Colombians, one Russian, two Brazilians and one Canadian, the native authorities stated. The youngest one that was injured was 6; the oldest was 61, Mexican authorities stated.
A person with a gun shot at vacationers on the historic Teotihuacan pyramids outdoors Mexico Metropolis on Monday.
Kevin S. Vineys/AP
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Kevin S. Vineys/AP
Video and images printed by native media confirmed a person, later recognized as Jasso, standing with a gun on prime of a pyramid whereas individuals ducked for canopy. Quite a lot of gunshots rang out within the movies.
The Teotihuacan pyramids, a UNESCO World Heritage Website, are a sequence of huge constructions on the outskirts of Mexico Metropolis constructed by three completely different historical civilizations. As considered one of Mexico’s most essential touristic locations, the location drew greater than 1.8 million worldwide guests final 12 months, in accordance with authorities figures.
The capturing happened shortly after 11:30 a.m. when dozens of vacationers have been on the prime of the Pyramid of the Moon. The standing on the construction’s platform started firing upward, in accordance with a tour information who was on the scene and spoke to The Related Press on situation of anonymity for security causes.
“Some people, because they were scared … threw themselves face down on the ground, and the rest of us started to go down,” the information stated, recounting how the shooter, upon seeing the vacationers descending the pyramid’s steps, started firing.
One other group of holiday makers lay immobile on the pyramid’s platform to keep away from being focused by the shooter, who authorities haven’t but recognized.
Brenda Lee, of Vancouver, British Columbia, stated she was ready to purchase a memento when she and others in her group thought they heard firecrackers.
“Before we knew it, someone said, ‘No, that’s gunfire, run,’ and we saw people coming off the top,” she advised CTV Information, considered one of Canada’s nationwide tv broadcasters.
“There were thousands of people there and there were a lot of gunshots that just kept coming,” Lee stated.
The scene rapidly turned chaotic as individuals tried to flee, Lee stated.
“And then a fellow jumped,” she stated. “It was someone trying to get away, and he dropped to the next level, but he fell on his back, and it was … it just was awful.”
In previous years, workers on the archaeological website carried out safety scans earlier than individuals entered the world however have since stopped, one native information famous.
The Pyramid of the Moon, left, and the Pyramid of the Solar, again proper, are seen together with smaller constructions lining the Avenue of the Lifeless, in Teotihuacan, Mexico, March 19, 2020.
Rebecca Blackwell/AP
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Rebecca Blackwell/AP
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on social media that the capturing can be investigated and that she was in contact with the Canadian Embassy.
“What happened today in Teotihuacán deeply pains us. I express my most sincere solidarity with the affected individuals and their families,” she wrote.
Anita Anand, Canada’s overseas affairs minister, stated on X that as a “result of a horrific act of gun violence, a Canadian was killed and another wounded in Teotihuacán” and that her “thoughts are with their family and loved ones.”
Later within the night U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson additionally expressed “deep concern” and disappointment over the deaths and quite a few accidents, and stated on a submit on X that the U.S. is “ready to provide support as needed while Mexican authorities continue their investigation.”
The Nationwide Institute of Anthropology and Historical past stated in a press release that the Teotihuacán archaeological website will stay closed till additional discover.
