Canadian woman killed in shooting at popular Mexican tourist site

Police officers at the pyramids archaeological zone in Teotihuacan state, Mexico, after a Canadian woman was shot dead by a man who later killed himself on April 20, 2026. Photo by Valentina Alpide/AFP via Getty Images

Article content

A Canadian was killed and four others wounded by gunfire at Mexico’s ancient ruins of Teotihuacán, security officials said, in a rare case of violence at one of the nation’s top tourist sites.

Article content

Two other visitors were injured from falls, the State of Mexico’s security ministry said in a statement on Monday, which added that a lone shooter opened fire from atop a major pyramid at the site and then took his own life. It wasn’t immediately clear what motivated the shooting.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Teotihuacán, a short day trip north of the Mexico City, is the country’s second-most visited ancient site, attracting more than 1.6 million visitors last year.

Article content

Article content

Videos posted on social media showed a man believed to be the shooter standing atop the Pyramid of the Moon, Teotihuacán’s second-tallest pyramid, wielding a gun. At least one loud gunshot could be heard, followed by scenes of shocked tourists crouching down to take cover.

Article content

While shootouts in Mexico are far from uncommon, particularly in hotspots clustered near the US border or in remote parts of the country where drug cartels are known to operate, sites like Teotihuacán have largely been spared.

Article content

The Teotihuacán shooting will add more pressure on President Claudia Sheinbaum to ensure tourist safety less than two months before Mexico is set to host 13 games in the World Cup soccer tournament. The international sporting event, where games will also be played in Canada and the US, is expected to draw several million international visitors to Mexico’s three host cities for the games.

Article content

In February, Mexican officials scrambled to assure soccer’s global governing body FIFA that security conditions are adequate in one of the host cities, Guadalajara, after the nearby killing of the country’s most powerful drug lord triggered citywide unrest. Mexico’s other World Cup host cities are the capital Mexico City and Monterrey.

Article content

Article content

In a post on X, Sheinbaum expressed her concern over the unusual case of violence.

Article content

“What happened today in Teotihuacán deeply saddens us. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to those affected and their families,” she wrote, adding that she has asked her top security officials to investigate the crime.

Article content

In recent months, Sheinbaum has insisted that Mexico is a safe tourist destination in spite of high-profile eruptions of violence. While tourism generates nearly 9% of Mexico’s gross domestic product, according to official data, critics have long argued that chronic violence undermines the industry.

Article content

Article content