Canadian tourist killed in Mexico archaeological site shooting

A Canadian woman was shot dead and five other people injured by a gunman on Monday at Mexico's famed Teotihuacan archaeological site, authorities said.

The gunman killed himself after opening fire at the popular tourist destination, home to pre-Aztecan pyramids, said Cristobal Castaneda, the security secretary for Mexico state, where the site is located.

Videos on social media showed the gunmen firing periodic shots from a pistol about halfway up the Pyramid of the Moon while some tourists take cover behind stairs below and others flee.

"A person is opening fire on us, take care friends, send security," a voice from one video, which AFP has not verified, can be heard saying. 

State authorities at the scene seized a firearm, knife, and unused ammunition and evacuated tourists from the premises.

American tourist Anna Durmont, a 37-year-old art historian, told AFP she was walking towards the pyramid when she was startled by the sight of emergency vehicles and police.

"It actually felt extremely calm," Durmont said, explaining she hadn't heard gunfire. 

"It was very measured. The park is full of souvenir sellers and they hadn't left. It wasn't clear to us until we got closer that there was a serious emergency," she said.

Mexico's health institute reported that seven victims were receiving treatment in a nearby hospital for gunshot wounds, including one minor.

Four were treated for gunshot wounds while others suffered an anxiety attack and injuries from falling down the pyramid's steep 47 step stairway.

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The injured included two Colombians, another Canadian, and a Russian, according to Castaneda.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a statement on her X account that federal and state security forces were being deployed to the site and that her administration was in contact with the Canadian government.

"What happened today in Teotihuacan hurts us deeply. I express my sincerest solidarity to the people affected and their families," Sheinbaum wrote.

While Mexico continues to struggle with frequent drug gang-related violence, mass untargeted shootings are relatively rare, especially compared to the country's northern neighbor, the United States.

Local reporters shared videos of prosecutors and officials in forensic suits standing atop the pyramid in the now empty complex, cordoned off by crime scene tape.

The over 2,000-year old pyramid city is one of Mexico's most important archaeological sites as well as one of the most popular tourist sites near Mexico City.

The Secretary of Tourism said over 1.8 million people visited in 2025. 

Mexico City is preparing for a surge of foreign visitors in the lead-up to the World Cup in June, which is being co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada.

Mexican expects over 5.5 million people will visit in relation to the global football tournament.

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