Forensic workers carried a body down the steps of the Pyramid of the Moon as tourists scattered in panic, marking the first lethal attack on visitors at Mexico’s most visited archaeological site in modern memory.
The shooter, identified by Mexican authorities as 27-year-old Julio Cesar Jasso, opened fire from the pyramid’s summit shortly after 11:30 a.m. On April 20, 2026, killing one Canadian tourist and wounding at least 13 others. Six Americans, three Colombians, one Russian, two Brazilians, and another Canadian were among those injured, with the youngest victim a 6-year-old boy from Colombia and the oldest a 61-year-old U.S. Woman. Authorities confirmed Jasso died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after the attack, and recovered a gun, knife, and ammunition at the scene.
Video and eyewitness accounts described Jasso standing atop the ancient structure, firing downward as tourists tried to flee. A tour guide speaking anonymously to The Associated Press said some visitors threw themselves face down to avoid bullets even as others began descending the steps, prompting the shooter to fire again. Others lay motionless on the platform to avoid detection. Brenda Lee of Vancouver recalled thinking the initial sounds were firecrackers before realizing the danger.
The attack occurred on a date laden with historical symbolism — Adolf Hitler’s birthday and the anniversary of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. Mexican media, citing police sources, reported Jasso had expressed admiration for both Hitler and the Columbine perpetrators, though officials offered no official confirmation of motive or identity beyond his name and age. No prior criminal record or extremist affiliations were disclosed by authorities.
The shooting adds pressure to Mexico’s security preparations for its role as co-host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which officials say will draw an estimated 5.5 million international fans. President Claudia Sheinbaum lamented the violence on social media, stating her government has a security plan for the tournament despite ongoing drug cartel-related violence nationwide. She did not specify whether security measures at archaeological sites would be reviewed in light of the attack.
This marks the first time a mass shooting has occurred at Teotihuacán, a site long considered peaceful despite Mexico’s broader struggles with organized crime. In 2017, a similar incident at a casino in Monterrey left dozens dead, but attacks on cultural heritage sites targeting tourists remain exceptionally rare in the country’s recent history.
Was the shooter acting alone?
Authorities from the State of Mexico government confirmed Jasso was the sole assailant, and no evidence has emerged suggesting accomplices or broader coordination.
What are the nationalities of the victims?
The injured included six U.S. Citizens, three Colombians, one Russian, two Brazilians, and two Canadians — one of whom died. The deceased was a female tourist from Vancouver, British Columbia.
Has Mexico increased security at tourist sites since the shooting?
As of the latest reports, Mexican officials have not announced specific new security measures for archaeological sites like Teotihuacán, though they reiterated existing plans for World Cup security amid national concerns over violence.
