MEXICO CITY – A 27-year-old Mexican national has been identified as the lone gunman who climbed the ancient Pyramid of the Moon at the Teotihuacan archaeological site and opened fire on tourists Monday morning, killing a Canadian woman and wounding 13 others before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. The attack, which occurred on the anniversary of the Columbine massacre, has raised urgent new questions about security at Mexico’s most-visited cultural heritage site.
The shooter, identified as Julio César Jasso Ramírez, a resident of Mexico City, was found dead at the scene, according to Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR). The attack began just after 11:30 a.m. local time at the Pyramid of the Moon, one of the most prominent structures in the vast pre-Hispanic city, which draws more than 1.8 million international visitors annually.
Mexican media reports, citing police sources, indicated that Jasso had expressed admiration for the perpetrators of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and for Adolf Hitler – whose birthday also falls on April 20. Authorities have not officially confirmed a motive, but the date of the attack has drawn intense scrutiny.
“What happened today in Teotihuacán pains us deeply,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on social media. “I express my deepest sympathy to those affected and their families”.
The Attack: Terror on the Pyramid of the Moon
Witnesses described a scene of chaos and terror as tourists scrambled for cover. A tour guide who was descending the pyramid when the shooting began told the Associated Press that he heard between 20 and 30 gunshots.
“When he saw that we were descending, he began to shoot downward,” the guide said. “He appeared to fire both into the air and towards people’s legs”.
Video footage circulating on social media shows a man in a checked shirt walking across the upper tier of the 140-foot-tall pyramid, brandishing a pistol as visitors cower behind stone outcroppings or lie flat on the ground. Some tourists threw themselves down the steep steps or jumped to lower levels in panic. A separate group of hostages lay motionless on the platform, ordered by the gunman to remain still.
“Call the police!” a woman can be heard screaming in one of the videos.
Victims: A Global Toll
The attack claimed the life of a 32-year-old Canadian woman, who was shot dead at the scene. A second Canadian citizen was among the wounded. The injured, according to an official casualty list released by Mexican authorities, included tourists from at least seven countries.
The full list of victims, as reported by the Mexican Security Cabinet, is as follows:
| Nationality | Age | Nature of Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Colombian | 6 (boy) | Gunshot wound (leg) |
| Colombian | 37 (woman) | Gunshot wound |
| Canadian | 29 (woman) | Gunshot wound |
| Russian | 32 (man) | Gunshot wound |
| Brazilian | 13 (girl) | Gunshot wound |
| American | 29 (man) | Gunshot wound |
| American | 61 (woman) | Gunshot wound |
| American | 26 (woman) | Non-gunshot (fall/abrasion) |
| American | 28 (woman) | Non-gunshot (fall/abrasion) |
| American | 31 (man) | Non-gunshot (fall/abrasion) |
| American | 43 (woman) | Non-gunshot (fall/abrasion) |
| Brazilian | 55 (woman) | Non-gunshot (fall/abrasion) |
| Colombian | 22 (woman) | Non-gunshot (fall/abrasion) |
Six U.S. citizens were among the injured. The youngest victim was a six-year-old Colombian boy who was shot in the leg. A 13-year-old Brazilian girl was also shot, as was a 61-year-old American woman. The injured were taken to area hospitals; one was initially reported in critical condition.
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed the death on social media, saying her “thoughts are with their family and loved ones”.
The Shooter: A Troubled Young Man Inspired by Hate
The gunman was identified by the FGR as Julio César Jasso Ramírez, 27, a Mexico City resident. His identification was made after an electoral credential was found at the scene, matching the man seen in viral videos of the attack.
Investigators are working to establish a definitive motive, but Mexican media reports, citing police sources, revealed a chilling picture. Jasso was said to have expressed admiration for Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the perpetrators of the 1999 Columbine massacre, and for Adolf Hitler. The attack occurred on April 20, which is both Hitler’s birthday and the anniversary of the Columbine shooting.
“It is inevitable to think of the massacres that are frequent in the United States, to which Mexicans are not accustomed,” noted a report in El País, as experts grappled with the possible international inspiration for the attack.
According to a witness who spoke with Reuters, the shooter appeared to fire most of his shots into the air, rather than directly at people, while carrying a digital tablet and shouting. At the scene, security forces recovered a gun, a knife, and ammunition.
There was initial confusion about whether the shooter died by suicide or was killed by security forces. While early reports indicated a self-inflicted gunshot wound, a video circulating on social media appeared to show National Guard officers confronting the attacker. Mexican media reported that National Guard personnel opened fire on the gunman, though it was unclear if he was struck before he ultimately shot himself.
Security Breakdown: A Failure of Prevention
The attack has prompted sharp criticism of security measures at the UNESCO World Heritage site. Police officers stationed within the ruins were the first to respond, followed by a National Guard unit. However, it emerged that the site had previously conducted security scans at entry points but had discontinued the practice in recent years – a detail that is likely to be heavily scrutinized in the aftermath.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a security alert confirming it was aware of the shooting and noted that local authorities had secured the area and that all injured victims were receiving medical care. The embassy urged any Americans in the vicinity to follow the directions of local authorities.
Following the attack, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) announced that the Teotihuacan archaeological complex would remain closed until further notice.
A Blow to Tourism Ahead of the World Cup
The shooting has sent shockwaves through Mexico’s vital tourism industry. The Teotihuacan pyramids are among the country’s most iconic landmarks, drawing 1.8 million visitors last year alone. The attack occurred just months before Mexico is set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, an event expected to draw millions of international visitors.
President Sheinbaum has repeatedly insisted that Mexico has a robust security plan in place for the World Cup, but Monday’s attack has raised fresh concerns about the vulnerability of tourist sites. While Mexico has long struggled with cartel-related violence, attacks on major tourist attractions are extremely rare.
“The attack raises fresh concerns about safety at Mexican tourist sites, which millions of Americans and other foreign nationals visit annually,” Newsweek reported.
What Happens Next
- Investigation: The FGR has opened a full investigation into the attack. Authorities are working to establish the shooter’s exact motive and whether he had any accomplices.
- Site Closure: Teotihuacan remains closed. INAH has not announced a date for its reopening.
- Medical Care: Hospitals in the State of Mexico are treating the injured. The number of patients in critical condition has not been updated.
- Security Review: The government is likely to review security protocols at all major tourist sites ahead of the World Cup.
- Diplomatic Response: President Sheinbaum has been in contact with the Canadian embassy, and the U.S. embassy has issued a security alert.
FAQ: Teotihuacan Pyramid Shooting
Q: Who was the shooter?
A: Julio César Jasso Ramírez, a 27-year-old Mexican national and resident of Mexico City.
Q: How many people were killed?
A: Two people died – a 32-year-old Canadian tourist and the gunman, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Q: How many people were injured?
A: At least 13 people were injured, including seven with gunshot wounds. The injured included citizens of the United States, Canada, Colombia, Brazil, and Russia.
Q: Was there a motive?
A: Mexican media reports, citing police sources, indicate the shooter admired the Columbine perpetrators and Hitler. The attack occurred on the anniversary of both. Authorities have not officially confirmed a motive.
Q: Is Teotihuacan open to visitors?
A: No. The site has been closed indefinitely following the shooting.
Q: What security measures were in place?
A: Police officers were stationed at the site, but security scans at entry points had been discontinued in recent years.
