Tragic Shooting at Teotihuacán: Insights into the Gunman's Background

Wed Apr 22 2026 14:04:20 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A recent shooting incident at the ancient Teotihuacán pyramids in Mexico has raised concerns about security and mental health, as the perpetrator was found to have connections to past mass shootings in the US.

In a tragic incident at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Teotihuacán, a Mexican national opened fire, resulting in one fatality and numerous injuries. Authorities have discovered that the gunman, Julio César Jasso Ramírez, had been influenced by past violent events, including the Columbine High School massacre, and showed signs of psychological distress. The incident has prompted calls for enhanced security measures at popular tourist sites.

The gunman who opened fire atop Mexico's ancient Pyramid of the Moon appeared to have been influenced by other violent shootings and showed signs of psychological problems, the country's president said on Tuesday.

Julio César Jasso Ramírez, 27, a Mexican national, carried a handgun, dozens of cartridges, a knife, and literature referencing acts of violence, officials said on Tuesday.

Mexico's top prosecutor said Jasso Ramírez planned and carried out the attack alone. The gunman fatally shot himself after a standoff with police.

A Canadian woman was killed and 13 others were injured at the popular tourist site northwest of Mexico City.

Based on everything indicated by the prosecutorial authorities, this person showed signs of psychological problems and was influenced by incidents that occurred abroad, President Claudia Sheinbaum said during a Tuesday media conference.

The gunman carried documents that apparently referenced the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in the US, according to José Luis Cervantes Martínez, attorney general of the State of Mexico, which is home to the Teotihuacán pyramid complex.

Among his belongings, authorities also found literature and documents allegedly related to acts of violence that may have occurred in the United States in April 1999.

During the media conference, Cervantes and Mexican authorities said that Jasso Ramírez had repeatedly visited the archaeological site about 50km (31 miles) from Mexico City. This act was not spontaneous, said Cervantes Martínez.

Following the shooting, which attracted mixed reactions from the public and media, the site was closed, but is set to reopen with reinforced security measures. Sheinbaum emphasized that safety would be guaranteed for the upcoming World Cup, in light of the heightened concerns.