A 32-year-old Canadian woman has been killed and 13 people injured after a man opened fire at a historical site in Mexico, according to Mexican officials. The gunman killed himself after the attack.
President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico has expressed her solidarity with the victims of a shooting at one of the country's most important tourist destinations, the ancient pyramid complex of Teotihuacán.
It comes with seven weeks to go before the first match of the FIFA World Cup is held in Mexico City. There was a big push and panic of everybody running at the same time to get out, a British couple told the BBC, describing chaotic scenes amid the sound of gunfire.
Local prosecutors identified the shooter as Julio César Jasso Ramírez, a Mexican national, without providing further details in a post on X.
In a separate post, the Mexican government's security cabinet said 13 people, whose ages range from six to 61, had been treated in hospital after being injured in the incident. The pre-Hispanic pyramids and ruins at Teotihuacán are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and among the most popular tourist attractions in the country.
Police recovered a firearm, a bladed weapon, and live cartridges at the scene. Sheinbaum said she was following updates and was in touch with the Canadian embassy. She wrote on social media that she had instructed her security cabinet to investigate the incident and provide all necessary support.
What happened today in Teotihuacán deeply pains us. I express my most sincere solidarity with the affected individuals and their families, she wrote in Spanish.
Canada's foreign minister, Anita Anand, confirmed that a Canadian was killed and another wounded in the incident, stating that Canadian consular officials were providing assistance.
According to a witness who spoke to Reuters news agency, a young boy was shot in the leg during the attack, which they said began at about 11:00 local time on Monday.
Despite the widespread cartel violence in Mexico, such incidents involving tourists are rare. The opening game of the World Cup will be held in Mexico City on 11th June, between Mexico and South Africa.
