President Claudia Sheinbaum says she instructed authorities to ‘thoroughly investigate’ the incident outside Mexico City.
Tragedy at Teotihuacan: Incident at the Pyramid of the Moon
An afternoon of sightseeing turned into a scene of chaos at one of Mexico’s most famous landmarks. A shooting at the Teotihuacan archaeological site, located just outside Mexico City, has left the international community in shock.
Details of the Attack
During the late morning on Monday, a gunman opened fire from the top of the Pyramid of the Moon. The violence resulted in the death of a Canadian woman and left at least 13 others wounded.
According to local authorities, the injuries were caused by both gunfire and the frantic scramble for safety as tourists attempted to flee the structure. The victims include travelers from:
Canada
Colombia
Russia
The suspected assailant, identified by prosecutors as a Mexican national named Julio Cesar Jasso Ramirez, died at the scene from a self-inflicted wound.
Eyewitness Accounts and Response
The attack occurred around 11:30 am when the site was crowded with visitors. Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene where the gunman began firing from a high platform. While some tourists dove for cover on the pyramid’s summit, others rushed down the steep stone steps to escape the line of fire.
Security forces, including local police and the National Guard, arrived shortly after the first shots were heard to secure the perimeter and assist the wounded.
"We are ensuring all affected individuals receive the necessary medical attention," stated State Governor Delfina Gomez Alvarez, noting that a heightened security presence would remain at the site.
Government Action and Safety Concerns
President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed that the federal government is coordinating closely with international embassies. She has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the breach of security and the motives behind the attack.
This tragedy has reignited debates regarding safety protocols at Mexico’s historic sites. While security screenings were standard practice at Teotihuacan in previous years, those measures had recently been scaled back.
A Critical Moment for Tourism
This incident is particularly sensitive as Mexico prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup in just two months. Recent surges in regional violence have already put the nation’s security infrastructure under a microscope, and this high-profile attack at a major cultural hub adds significant pressure on officials to guarantee the safety of international visitors.
Teotihuacan remains one of the most significant cultural treasures of the ancient world, and authorities are working to restore order and safety to the sacred site.
