Shooting in Teotihuacán: Gunfire from the Pyramid of the Moon Leaves One Tourist Dead and Several Injured
Posted on 04/21/26 at 15:01
- Shooting in Teotihuacán
- Canadian tourist killed
- Six people reported injured
An armed attack at one of Mexico’s most iconic archaeological sites caused panic among tourists and triggered a large-scale federal and state security response.
Attack from the Pyramid of the Moon
A man opened fire Monday from the top of the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacán, shooting at tourists visiting the site, killing a Canadian woman, and later taking his own life.
https://t.co/ogRw0YvMvV pic.twitter.com/VHY2Plpibb— EL PAÍS (@el_pais) April 20, 2026
According to reports, a shooting on Monday at the Teotihuacán pyramids left two people dead and at least six injured.
The attacker fired from the top of the Pyramid of the Moon at visitors walking through the complex.
The victim was a Canadian tourist, while the attacker died by suicide after the shooting.
The incident occurred shortly after noon at the northern end of the site, one of the most visited in the country.
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The gunman, described as wearing a plaid shirt, had been walking around the structure before opening fire with a handgun.
In the Plaza of the Moon, located in front of the pyramid, hundreds of tourists were touring the site when the shots began.
Videos show visitors running, hiding, and calling for help amid the chaos.
Victims and Medical Attention
The preliminary toll includes six injured individuals in addition to the deceased victim.
Four people were wounded by gunfire and transported to a nearby hospital.
Two others suffered fractures and sprains after falling down the pyramid’s stairs during the panic.
Another person was treated at the scene of the Teotihuacán shooting for an anxiety crisis.
The Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social reported that seven people were treated at the General Hospital of Axapusco, including a minor.
Among the injured are two Colombian citizens, one of them a minor, as well as a Russian and a Canadian national.
Authorities recovered a firearm, a knife, and several cartridges at the scene.
The bodies of the attacker and the victim were located by security personnel upon arrival.
Reactions and Security Response
What happened today in Teotihuacán deeply pains us. I express my sincere solidarity with those affected and their families. We are in contact with the Canadian embassy… https://t.co/ceBDNjKxDv
— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) April 20, 2026
The Security Cabinet confirmed the attack and the shooter’s suicide in a preliminary statement.
An immediate operation was deployed in the area to protect visitors and assist those affected.
President Claudia Sheinbaum ordered a full investigation into the Teotihuacán shooting.
She also stated that the government remains in contact with the Canadian Embassy following confirmation of the victim’s nationality.
The president expressed solidarity with those affected and their families.
The governor of the State of Mexico, Delfina Gómez, announced that security presence at the site will be reinforced.
Canada’s Foreign Minister, Anita Anand, condemned the attack and confirmed that consular staff are assisting the victim’s family.
The archaeological site receives around 1.6 million visitors annually and is one of the country’s top tourist destinations.
Access to the Pyramid of the Moon had recently reopened after conservation work, allowing visitors to climb part of the structure.
The incident has renewed concerns about safety in high-traffic tourist locations in Mexico.
