On Monday, April 20, 2026, a shooting at the Teotihuacán archaeological site in Mexico left one tourist dead and 13 others injured, according to Mexican authorities. The incident occurred around 11:20 a.m. Local time near the Pyramid of the Moon, where a gunman opened fire on visitors before being confronted by security forces.
The State of Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office identified the shooter as Julio César Jasso Ramírez, a 27-year-old Mexican citizen from Tlapa, Guerrero. Officials said he arrived at the site acting as a tourist and began firing from a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver, later taking his own life after being cornered by the National Guard.
Among the victims were tourists from several countries, including the United States, Colombia, Canada, Russia, the Netherlands, and Brazil. One of the deceased was a Canadian woman, while the injured included two minors. All victims were foreign nationals, as confirmed by the State of Mexico’s Security Secretary, Cristóbal Castañeda Camarillo.
In the aftermath, a Peruvian survivor shared her account of the attack with local media, describing moments of terror as she and others tried to flee. She recalled hearing repeated gunfire and believing the attacker intended to harm them further, stating in an interview that she feared they were going to be sacrificed.
Authorities recovered 52 usable cartridges from the scene, along with a bladed weapon, inside a black plastic bag carried by the shooter. The weapon used had serial number C90673 and contained two unfired rounds at the time of the incident. Investigators noted the attack followed a “copycat” pattern, inspired by prior violent events that received widespread media attention.
The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, called the shooting unprecedented in the country’s history, emphasizing that no similar attack had ever occurred at an archaeological site. She pledged a full investigation and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.
Security footage from the site showed the suspect moving through the area before opening fire, with later clips capturing the arrival of National Guard personnel and the ensuing confrontation. Forensic teams and police remained on-site throughout the day to gather evidence and assist witnesses.
Officials confirmed the shooter had stayed at a local hotel the night before the attack and arrived via a ride-hailing service, both of which were placed under official custody for further examination. The motive behind the attack remains under investigation, though authorities have indicated possible psychological factors and external influences may have played a role.
As of Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the State of Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office continued to process evidence and interview witnesses, with no additional arrests reported. The investigation remains active, and officials urged the public to rely only on verified updates from institutional sources.
Stay informed through official channels such as the State of Mexico’s Security Secretariat and the Attorney General’s Office for the latest developments in this case.