Canadian killed in shooting at Teotihuacan pyramid

A Canadian woman was killed and several others were wounded in a shooting Monday at the Teotihuacan pyramids, Mexico’s famous tourist and archaeological site, Mexican authorities said.

The attacker later killed himself at the scene outside Mexico City.

Police vehicles at the Pyramid of the Moon after gunfire at the Teotihuacan archaeological site
Videos on social media showed gunmen firing periodic shots from half of the Pyramid of the Moon while tourists hidImage: Valentina Elpide/AFP

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said X federal and state security forces were deployed to the site, adding, “We are deeply saddened by this incident.”

His administration was in contact with the Canadian government.

“I express my sincere solidarity with those affected and their families,” Sheinbaum wrote.

Anita Anand, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, called it “a terrible act of gun violence”, and said her “thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

Local officials said four people were hospitalized with gunshot wounds and two others suffered injuries from a fall.

The injured included Colombian, Russian and Canadian tourists.

Teotihuacan is one of the most important tourist destinations in Mexico

Footage broadcast by local news outlets shows people scrambling for cover amid gunfire and a man brandishing a gun is seen halfway up one of the site’s pyramids.

A gun, a knife and ammunition were found at the scene of the shooting.

Mexico is preparing to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the United States and Canada, with the event expected to draw millions of visitors from abroad while focusing on security at major tourist and cultural sites.

The Teotihuacan pyramids received about 1.8 million tourists last year.

Edited by: Louis Olofse

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