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A tragic shooting incident at a historic pyramid site in Mexico on Monday resulted in the death of a Canadian tourist and injuries to over a dozen others. Authorities have now identified the shooter.
The gunman has been named as 27-year-old Julio Cesar Jasso, a Mexican citizen. This information was provided by a state official who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case and the lack of authorization to speak on the matter publicly.
After the attack, Jasso ended his own life, turning the weapon on himself. Security officers recovered a gun, a knife, and ammunition at the scene. According to the State of Mexico government, Jasso acted alone, and they confirmed he was the only perpetrator in the incident on Monday evening.
Of the victims, seven sustained gunshot wounds, while others were injured in the ensuing chaos as crowds hurried to escape from the pyramids. In the panic, several individuals fell and sustained injuries.
The incident took place at the Pyramid of the Moon and the Pyramid of the Sun, which are prominent landmarks along the Avenue of the Dead in Teotihuacan, Mexico. This popular tourist destination was the scene of the tragic event where the gunman claimed the life of a Canadian visitor and injured others before taking his own life, authorities reported on Monday.
Those hospitalized included tourists from several countries, among them the United States, Colombia, Russia, Brazil and Canada, authorities said. The victims ranged in age from 6 to 61.
Footage circulating in local media appears to show the suspect positioned atop the structure as visitors rushed for safety below, with gunfire echoing across the site.
Police and forensic workers stand on a pyramid after authorities said a gunman opened fire in Teotihuacan, Mexico, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
The Teotihuacan complex, located just outside Mexico City, is one of the country’s most visited archaeological landmarks, drawing millions of international visitors each year to its towering pre-Hispanic structures.
The shooting took place shortly after 11:30 a.m. when dozens of tourists were at the top of the Pyramid of the Moon.
Security measures at the site have changed in recent years, with routine entry screenings no longer consistently in place, according to a local guide.
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.”
People visit the Pyramid of the Sun in the pre-Hispanic city of Teotihuacan near Mexico City, Mexico, on March 21, 2024, following the spring equinox. (Henry Romero/Reuters)
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 in 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.