The Mexican tourism sector is in mourning after a bloody shooting occurred Monday at noon at the Teotihuacan archaeological site, one of the country's most iconic locations. A man opened fire on the crowd before taking his own life.

The toll of the attack

The assailant, identified as Julio César Jasso Ramírez , a Mexican man in his thirties, shot and killed a 20-year-old Canadian woman. The tragedy also claimed several lives among the visitors present.

1. 13 people were injured in total , including a 6-year-old child.
2. Nationalities concerned: Nationals of Canada, the United States, Brazil, Colombia and Russia.
3. Severity: Six people were directly hit by gunfire.

Sequence of events and investigation

According to initial findings of the investigation, the attack appears to have been deliberate and targeted . The gunman positioned himself halfway up the Pyramid of the Moon , the only structure in the complex still accessible to climbers, to fire intermittently.

"It would appear to be a direct attack," said Cristobal Castañeda, Minister of Security of the State of Mexico.

Authorities seized a pistol, a knife, and ammunition at the scene. The National Guard and federal police remain deployed.

Scenes of panic at a historical site

Amateur videos circulating on social media show tourists terrified, throwing themselves to the ground or seeking refuge behind the stone structures of the pre-Hispanic city. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her deep sorrow following this tragic event.

Teotihuacan in figures:

1. Location: 50 km from Mexico City.
2. Visitor numbers: 2nd most visited site in the country (nearly one million visitors by early 2025).
3. Importance: Major vestige of the classical period (1st - 7th century), famous for its pyramids of the Sun and Moon.

This explosion of violence is a major blow to the image of security that the country is trying to maintain for its archaeological treasures.