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Gunman at historic pyramids in Mexico kills 1, injures 13

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by Ashley N. Soriano - 04/21/26 10:47 AM ET

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by Ashley N. Soriano - 04/21/26 10:47 AM ET

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(NewsNation) — A gunman opened fire on the Teotihuacan Pyramids in Mexico on Monday, killing one and injuring 13 others, including some Americans, in a rare attack on a tourist site there.

Julio Cesar Jasso Ramirez, a Mexican national, was identified as the suspect, according to authorities. The 27-year-old died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

- TEOTIHUACAN, MEXICO – APRIL 20: An aerial view of the Pyramid of the Moon following a shooting that left at least one person dead, at the Teotihuacan archaeological site, in Teotihuacan, Mexico on April 20, 2026. A Canadian tourist was killed and several people were injured during a shooting at the Teotihuacan archaeological site, authorities said. (Photo by Daniel Cardenas/Anadolu via Getty Images)

- TEOTIHUACAN, MEXICO – APRIL 20: Forensic experts work on the Pyramid of the Moon following a shooting that left at least one person dead, at the Teotihuacan archaeological site, in Teotihuacan, Mexico on April 20, 2026. A Canadian tourist was killed and several people were injured during a shooting at the Teotihuacan archaeological site, authorities said. (Photo by Daniel Cardenas/Anadolu via Getty Images)

- Forensic workers carry the body of a victim down a pyramid after authorities said a gunman opened fire, in Teotihuacan, Mexico, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

The shooting took place shortly after 11:30 a.m., when dozens of tourists were at the top of the Pyramid of the Moon. The armed gunman opened fire while standing on a platform on the pyramid, first upward and then down toward descending tourists, a witness who spoke with the Associated Press said.

Seven people suffered gunshot wounds, and six others were injured during the incident. It was unclear how the other six were injured, although several people appeared to fall when the shooting began.

The injured range in age from 6 to 61. Those taken to hospitals for treatment were six Americans, three Colombians, one Russian, two Brazilians and one Canadian, the local government said. A Canadian tourist also died.

“What happened today in Teotihuacán deeply pains us. I express my most sincere solidarity with the affected individuals and their families,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on social media.

The Teotihuacan Pyramids, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 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.

The National Institute of Anthropology and History said in a statement that the Teotihuacán archaeological site will remain closed until further notice.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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