A gunman killed a Canadian woman at the Teotihuacán archaeological site near Mexico City on Monday, authorities said.
The shooter — who opened fire from the Pyramid of the Moon at the pre-Columbian city — wounded several other people before turning the gun on himself. It appeared to be a random shooting — a crime that is rare in Mexico. No motive for the crime was immediately reported.
The federal government’s Security Cabinet announced the death of the Canadian woman on social media.
“According to preliminary information, a man fired shots … and subsequently took his own life. Unfortunately, a woman of Canadian nationality lost her life and, to date, we have information about several people who were injured,” the Security Cabinet said.
The government of México state — where Teotihuacán is located — said in a statement that the National Guard and state police responded to the shooting. It said that they found two deceased people at the site, including “the probable aggressor.”
The México state government said that at least six people were injured, four of whom sustained firearm wounds and two of whom suffered “falls.” The injured were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
The IMSS Bienestar health service said on social media that medical personnel were providing care to seven people, including a minor, after the incident at Teotihuacán. It said the patients were receiving treatment at the Axapusco General Hospital in México state.
“Of the total number of patients being treated, four have gunshot wounds, one has a fracture, another is being treated for a sprain, and one more for an anxiety attack,” IMSS Bienestar said.
Video footage shows the alleged gunmen on a platform approximately halfway up the Pyramid of the Moon. “Call the police,” someone shouts before a gunshot rings out.
A witness told the broadcaster N+ that the gunman was holding people “like hostages” on the pyramid, a version of events that is supported by video footage.
“I saw that he let a person go down, a girl,” said Laura Torres.
“I thought he was going to shoot her in the back, but he didn’t, thank God he let her go,” she said.
Torres also said that the aggressor allowed “a boy” to descend the pyramid. “But [other] hostages remained there,” she said.
President Claudia Sheinbaum said on social media that “what happened today at Teotihuacán deeply pains us.”
“I express my most sincere solidarity with the affected people and their families,” she wrote.
“We’re in contact with the Canadian Embassy. I have instructed the Security Cabinet to thoroughly investigate these events and provide all [necessary] support,” Sheinbaum said.
Located about 50 kilometers northeast of downtown Mexico City, Teotihuacán is one of Mexico’s most-visited archaeological sites. It is popular with both Mexican and foreign tourists, and generally considered safe to visit, although violence has occurred in nearby areas.
Monday’s shooting occurred just over seven weeks before Mexico City will host the first match of the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup.
Mexico News Daily
