An armed man standing atop one of the historic Teotihuacán pyramids opened fire on tourists Monday, killing one Canadian and leaving at least 13 people injured at the archeological site north of Mexico’s capital, authorities said. The shooter was identified as 27-year-old Julio Cesar Jasso of Mexico, a state official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the case.
Jasso later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said, and security officials found a gun, a knife and ammunition. Jasso was the sole assailant in the attack, the State of Mexico government confirmed late Monday.
The local government said seven people were wounded by gunshots. How the other people were injured was not disclosed. Those taken to hospitals included six Americans, three Colombians, one Russian, two Brazilians and one Canadian, the government said.
The Security Cabinet of Mexico said in a social media post that the Canadian taken to hospital was 29-year-old Delicia Li de Yong. It says she was shot in the upper back.
“As a result of a horrific act of gun violence, a Canadian was killed and another wounded in Teotihuacan, Mexico,” Anita Anand, Canada’s foreign affairs minister, said in a social media post. “My thoughts are with their family and loved ones.”
Video and photos published by local news organizations show a man, later identified as Jasso, standing with a gun on top of one pyramid while people ducked for cover. A number of gunshots rang out.
The shooting happened before noon when dozens of tourists were at the top of the Pyramid of the Moon.
A man standing on the structure’s platform began firing upward, according to a tour guide who was at the scene and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.
“Some people, because they were scared … threw themselves face down on the ground, and the rest of us started to go down,” the guide said, recounting how the shooter began firing when he saw tourists descending the pyramid’s steps.
Another group of visitors lay motionless on the platform to avoid being targeted by the shooter.
Police officers providing security at the archeological ruins responded, followed shortly after by a National Guard unit.
In past years, staff at the archeological site carried out security scans before people entered the area but have since stopped.
The guide showed a video that he took showing a woman limping and her back covered in blood and another man’s arm being bandaged.
A local health authority said a child was among the wounded but that there were no serious injuries. One person received help for an anxiety attack.
‘It’s a sad day’
Prime Minister Mark Carney thanked Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday for her “personal attention” to a tragic shooting that killed one Canadian tourist and wounded another.
Speaking to reporters before the Liberal cabinet meeting in Ottawa, Carney offered condolences to the family and friends of the victim.
“It’s a sad day,” Carney said.
Sheinbaum has promised an investigation. She posted on social media that Monday’s shooting at the site of the Teotihuacán pyramids “deeply pains” her government and she was in touch with the Canadian Embassy.
“It’s a terrible circumstance,” Carney said. “I very much appreciate President Sheinbaum’s personal attention to the matter. We’re working with Mexican authorities on the situation.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said her Mexican counterpart has committed to a prompt investigation into the death of the Canadian.
“Our consular officials are on the ground assisting the remaining victims, and in particular the Canadians who are in Mexico,” she told reporters Tuesday morning on Parliament Hill.
When asked whether Ottawa would be revising its travel advisory for Mexico, Anand said the countries are in “very close contact” but added: “at this time, we are examining all issues relating to the bilateral relationship.” She said there was no indication cartel violence was involved in the event.
Video and photos published by local news outlets show a gunman standing atop one of the pyramids while dozens of tourists ducked for cover.
The Teotihuacan pyramids are a series of massive structures on the outskirts of Mexico City built by three different ancient civilizations. One of Mexico’s most important touristic destinations, the site drew more than 1.8 million international visitors last year, according to government figures.