Gunman shoots several tourists at historic pyramids in Mexico, killing a
Canadian
[April 21, 2026]
By FABIOLA SÁNCHEZ and MEGAN JANETSKY
MEXICO CITY (AP) — An armed man standing atop one of the historic
Teotihuacan pyramids opened fire on tourists Monday, killing one
Canadian and leaving at least 13 people injured at the archaeological
site north of Mexico’s capital, authorities said.
The shooter was identified as 27-year-old Julio Cesar Jasso of Mexico, a
state official told the AP on condition of anonymity because he is not
authorized to speak about the case. Jasso later died from a
self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said, and security officials
found a gun, a knife and ammunition. Jasso was the sole assailant in the
attack, the State of Mexico government confirmed on Monday night.
The local government said seven people were wounded by gunshots. How the
other people were injured was not disclosed, but a number of people fell
when shooting started, some while climbing on the pyramids.
Those taken to hospitals for treatment were six Americans, three
Colombians, one Russian, two Brazilians and one Canadian, the local
government said. The youngest person who was injured was 6; the oldest
was 61, Mexican authorities said.
Video and photos published by local media showed a man, later identified
as Jasso, standing with a gun on top of a pyramid while people ducked
for cover. A number of gunshots rang out in the videos.
The Teotihuacan pyramids, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a series of
massive structures on the outskirts of Mexico City built by three
different ancient civilizations. As one of Mexico’s most important
touristic destinations, the site drew more than 1.8 million
international visitors last year, according to government figures.
The shooting took place shortly after 11:30 a.m. when dozens of tourists
were at the top of the Pyramid of the Moon. The standing on the
structure’s platform began firing upward, according to a tour guide who
was at the scene and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of
anonymity for safety reasons.
“Some people, because they were scared ... threw themselves face down on
the ground, and the rest of us started to go down,” the guide said,
recounting how the shooter, upon seeing the tourists descending the
pyramid’s steps, began firing.
Another group of visitors lay motionless on the pyramid’s platform to
avoid being targeted by the shooter, who 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.
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Police patrol the pyramids after authorities said a gunman opened
fire in Teotihuacan, Mexico, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP
Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
"Before we knew it, someone said, ‘No, that’s gunfire, run,’ and we
saw people coming off the top,” she told CTV News, one of Canada’s
national television broadcasters.
“There were thousands of people there and there were a lot of
gunshots that just kept coming,” Lee said.
The scene quickly turned chaotic as people tried to escape, Lee
said.
“And then a fellow jumped,” she said. “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 past years, staff at the archaeological site carried out security
scans before people entered the area but have since stopped, one
local guide noted.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on social media that the
shooting would be investigated and that she was in touch 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 foreign affairs minister, said 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 in the evening U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson also
expressed “deep concern” and sadness over the deaths and numerous
injuries, and said on a post on X that the U.S. is “ready to provide
support as needed while Mexican authorities continue their
investigation.”
The National Institute of Anthropology and History said in a
statement that the Teotihuacán archaeological site will remain
closed until further notice.
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