A peaceful morning at one of Mexico's most iconic archaeological sites turned to chaos when a gunman opened fire from atop the historic Teotihuacán pyramids. The tragic incident, which occurred on April 20, 2026, claimed the life of a 32-year-old Canadian woman and left 13 other tourists injured before the assailant took his own life.
The attack took place shortly after 11:30 a.m. local time, as dozens of visitors were exploring the ancient structures. According to authorities, the gunman, identified as 27-year-old Julio César Jasso Ramírez of Mexico City, ascended the Pyramid of the Moon and began firing at the crowd below.
Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacan. (Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium/CC BY 2.0)
Chaos at the Pyramid of the Moon
According to a AP News report, witnesses described a scene of sheer terror as the sound of gunshots echoed across the ancient plaza. A local tour guide reported that some tourists threw themselves face down on the pyramid's steps, while others desperately tried to flee. "Before we knew it, someone said, 'No, that's gunfire, run,' and we saw people coming off the top," recounted Brenda Lee, a Canadian tourist who was waiting to buy a souvenir.
The perpetrator reportedly fired more than 20 shots during the attack. Among the 13 injured were six Americans, three Colombians, two Brazilians, one Russian, and another Canadian citizen reports 6abc. While seven people sustained direct gunshot wounds, six others were injured indirectly while attempting to escape the chaos, including some who fell while descending the steep steps of the pyramid.
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A Dark Anniversary
The motive behind this senseless act of violence remains under investigation by the Attorney General's Office of the State of Mexico. However, chilling details have emerged regarding the shooter. Local media, citing police sources, reported that Jasso Ramírez had expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler and generated an AI image of himself alongside the perpetrators of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. The shooting notably occurred on the 27th anniversary of the Columbine tragedy and on Hitler's birthday.
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Following the incident, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her solidarity with the victims, stating, "What happened today in Teotihuacán deeply hurts us. I express my most sincere solidarity with the people affected and their families", reports 6abc. Canada's foreign affairs minister, Anita Anand, also condemned the "horrific act of gun violence".
Security Concerns at Heritage Sites
The Teotihuacán pyramids, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just outside Mexico City, are a major draw for international tourism, welcoming nearly 1.8 million visitors annually. Built between the 1st and 7th centuries AD, the sprawling complex features monumental structures such as the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, connected by the famous Avenue of the Dead.
In the wake of the shooting, the National Institute of Anthropology and History announced that the archaeological site would remain closed until further notice. The incident has raised questions about security measures at popular tourist destinations in Mexico, with local guides noting that previously implemented security scans at the entrance had been discontinued in recent years. As authorities continue their investigation, the tragedy has cast a shadow over one of Mesoamerica's most awe-inspiring ancient places.
Top image: Tourists on the Pyramid of the Sun. Source: Daniel Case/CC BY-SA 3.0
By Gary Manners
References
6abc Philadelphia. 2026. Mexico shooting: 6 Americans among tourists injured amid shooting at Teotihuacán pyramids; gunman identified as Julio Cesar Jasso. Available at: https://6abc.com/post/mexico-shooting-6-americans-among-tourists-injured-amid-historic-pyramids-gunman-identified-julio-cesar-jasso/18933224/
Sánchez, F., & Janetsky, M. 2026. Gunman shoots several tourists at Teotihuacán pyramids in Mexico. AP News. Available at: https://apnews.com/article/shooting-teotihuacuan-pyramid-canadian-killed-cfb0ee81bf45ab5df335a17363631296
Wikipedia contributors. 2026. 2026 Teotihuacan pyramids shooting. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Teotihuacan_pyramids_shooting
