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An alarming incident unfolded at the historic Teotihuacán pyramids on Monday when a gunman opened fire on visitors, resulting in the death of a Canadian tourist and injuries to six others. The archaeological site, situated about an hour from Mexico City, became a scene of chaos as authorities rushed to respond.
According to officials, the assailant later turned the weapon on himself, succumbing to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The local government confirmed that four individuals suffered gunshot wounds, while two more were hurt in the ensuing panic. Those injured include tourists from Colombia, Russia, and Canada. They were promptly transported to nearby hospitals, though the severity of their injuries remains undisclosed.
Local media outlets shared videos and photographs capturing the unsettling moments when the shooter, positioned atop a pyramid, fired shots, causing visitors to scramble for safety as the sound of gunfire echoed.
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The incident took place shortly after 11:30 a.m. when dozens of tourists were at the top of the Pyramid of the Moon. A man standing on the structure’s platform began firing upward, according to a tour guide who was at the scene and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.
“Some people, because they were scared … threw themselves face down on the ground, and the rest of us started to go down,” the guide said, recounting how the shooter, upon seeing the tourists descending the pyramid’s steps, began firing.
Another group of visitors lay motionless on the pyramid’s platform to avoid being targeted by the shooter.
The first to respond to the shooting were the police officers providing security within the archaeological ruins, and shortly afterward a National Guard unit arrived in a van to handle the emergency.
In past years, staff at the archaeological site carried out security scans before people entered the area but have since stopped.
The guide showed a video that he took showing a woman limping and her back covered in blood and another man’s arm being bandaged.
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. “
The Teotihuacán pyramids are a series of massive structures on the outskirts of Mexico City built by three different ancient civilizations. As one of Mexico’s most important touristic destinations, the site drew more than 1.8 million international visitors last year, according to government figures.
Security officials found a gun, a knife and ammunition after the shooting.
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