The Canadian government expressed its gratitude for the swift response from Mexican authorities following the armed attack on Monday at the Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone in the State of Mexico, in which a Canadian tourist was killed and another Canadian citizen was injured.
In a brief message shared on its social media, the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that consular officials are in contact with the families of the affected Canadians after a man opened fire at the Pyramid of the Moon, injuring approximately six other people, including a minor.
“As a result of a terrible act of armed violence, a Canadian woman was killed and another was injured in Teotihuacan, Mexico. Our condolences go out to their families and loved ones, and consular officials have been in contact with them to offer assistance.”
The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) reported that it is in contact with the Canadian embassy in Mexico and other embassies of those affected immediately after the attack.
Cristóbal Castañeda, Secretary of Public Security for the State of Mexico, detailed that of the people injured by gunfire, two are Colombian and one is Russian.
In addition, one person suffered a fracture and another a sprain, both from falls, according to public health services, which also treated one person for an anxiety attack.
The man who fired the shots later took his own life, federal authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred at the Pyramid of the Moon, the only pyramid at the site accessible to visitors via steep volcanic stone steps.
According to preliminary investigations, “it appears to have been a targeted attack,” added Castañeda, who declined to provide further details.
Videos on social media, taken from different angles, show the alleged attacker in the middle section of the approximately 45-meter-high structure, where there is a sort of resting area.
The individual, whose face is partially covered by a dark mask in some photos, appears to be carrying a handgun. Upon hearing a gunshot, several people took cover on the ground a few meters away from the assailant.
Mexico’s Security Cabinet reported that “a firearm, a bladed weapon (knife), and live ammunition” were found at the site, which remains under the protection of state police and the National Guard.
“What happened today in Teotihuacan deeply saddens us,” said Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum on social media.
The site remains under the protection of state police and National Guard personnel, totaling approximately 300 officers.
Mexico has nearly 200 archaeological sites that are major tourist attractions and where some incidents have occurred, but this is the first reported armed attack in several decades.
In the context of the 2026 World Cup, which will be inaugurated in Mexico on June 11, an increase in the number of foreign tourists arriving at these sites is expected.
Source: eleconomista
