A gunman who opened fire at Mexico’s Teotihuacán pyramids on April 20, 2026, killing one Canadian tourist and wounding several others, was found to have carried notes referencing the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in the United States, according to Mexican authorities.
The attack occurred around 11:20 a.m. Local time at the archaeological site near Mexico City, one of the country’s most visited tourist attractions. When National Guard personnel arrived approximately ten minutes later and confronted the shooter, he fired at them before being wounded in the leg and later taking his own life at 11:45 a.m., officials said.
Preliminary information from the State of Mexico Prosecutor’s Office identified the shooter as Julio César Jasso Ramírez, a Mexican citizen who acted alone. Authorities reported seizing a firearm, a bladed weapon, and live cartridges from his backpack, along with handwritten notes that made reference to the Columbine attack.
The Columbine High School massacre, which took place on April 20, 1999, in Columbine, Colorado, resulted in the deaths of 12 students and one teacher, with 21 others injured, before the two perpetrators died by suicide. It remains one of the most infamous school shootings in U.S. History and has been referenced in subsequent acts of violence worldwide.
At least 13 people were injured in the Teotihuacán attack, with eight still hospitalized late Monday, according to the Secretary of Government for the State of Mexico. Seven individuals suffered gunshot wounds, while six were injured from falling during the chaos, officials said in a social media post by the state’s security cabinet.
Among the wounded were a six-year-old Colombian child, two other Colombians aged 37 and 22, a 55-year-old Dutch national, and a 42-year-old Russian. A second Canadian, initially misidentified by local media as Felicia Lee, 26, was later confirmed by Mexican authorities on Tuesday to be Delicia Li de Yong, 29. The name of the Canadian woman who was killed has not been publicly released.
Six Americans were among those wounded in the attack, according to preliminary reports from CNN citing Mexican security officials. The incident has drawn international attention as Mexico prepares to host millions of visitors for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, raising concerns about public security at major tourist sites.
Teotihuacán, located in the State of Mexico just northeast of Mexico City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its ancient Mesoamerican pyramids, including the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. The site typically attracts thousands of visitors daily, particularly during peak travel seasons.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Mexican federal and state authorities launched a coordinated investigation, reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses. The State of Mexico Attorney General’s Office confirmed that the shooter had no known criminal record prior to the attack and was not on any security watchlist.
Officials have not disclosed the contents of the notes found in the shooter’s backpack beyond confirming their thematic link to the 1999 Columbine incident. Investigators continue to analyze digital devices and personal effects recovered from the scene to determine motive and whether any external influences played a role.
The attack has reignited debate over security measures at Mexico’s archaeological zones, which are managed by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). While INAH oversees preservation and access to the site, day-to-day security is handled by local and federal police forces, including the National Guard.
As of Tuesday afternoon, no official changes to security protocols at Teotihuacán have been announced, though authorities said they are reviewing current procedures in light of the incident. Visitors are advised to follow official guidance from Mexican tourism and safety agencies.
For updates on the investigation, the public is directed to the official social media channels of the State of Mexico Secretary of Government and the Office of the Attorney General for Mexico State. Both institutions have been providing periodic statements as new information becomes available.
This developing story underscores the ongoing global challenge of preventing violence in public spaces, particularly at internationally significant cultural heritage sites. As authorities continue their work, the focus remains on supporting victims and their families while ensuring accountability and transparency in the investigative process.
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