MEXICO CITY (AP) — An armed man standing atop one of many historic Teotihuacan pyramids opened fireplace on tourists Monday, killing one Canadian and leaving at least 13 individuals injured at the archaeological web site north of Mexico’s capital, authorities stated.
The shooter was recognized as 27-year-old Julio Cesar Jasso of Mexico, a state official advised the AP on situation of anonymity as a result of he isn’t licensed to discuss the case. Jasso later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities stated, and safety officers discovered a gun, a knife and ammunition. Jasso was the only assailant in the assault, the State of Mexico authorities confirmed on Monday evening.
The native authorities stated seven individuals had been wounded by gunshots. How the opposite individuals had been injured was not disclosed, however plenty of individuals fell when taking pictures began, some whereas climbing on the pyramids.
Those taken to hospitals for therapy had been six Americans, three Colombians, one Russian, two Brazilians and one Canadian, the native authorities stated. The youngest one that was injured was 6; the oldest was 61, Mexican authorities stated.
Video and images printed by native media confirmed a person, later recognized as Jasso, standing with a gun on prime of a pyramid whereas individuals ducked for canopy. Quite a few gunshots rang out in the movies.
AP AUDIO: Gunman shoots several tourists at historic pyramids in Mexico, killing a Canadian
A gunman at a historic pyramid web site north of Mexico City kills a vacationer and injures several others. AP correspondent Jennifer King stories.
The Teotihuacan pyramids, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a sequence of huge buildings on the outskirts of Mexico City constructed by three totally different historical civilizations. As certainly one of Mexico’s most essential touristic locations, the positioning drew greater than 1.8 million worldwide guests final 12 months, based on authorities figures.
The taking pictures happened shortly after 11:30 a.m. when dozens of tourists had been at the highest of the Pyramid of the Moon. The standing on the construction’s platform started firing upward, based on a tour information who was at the scene and spoke to The Associated Press on situation of anonymity for security causes.
“Some people, because they were scared … threw themselves face down on the ground, and the rest of us started to go down,” the information stated, recounting how the shooter, upon seeing the tourists descending the pyramid’s steps, started firing.
Another group of holiday makers lay immobile on the pyramid’s platform to keep away from being focused by the shooter, who authorities haven’t but recognized.
Brenda Lee, of Vancouver, British Columbia, stated she was ready to purchase a memento when she and others in her group thought they heard firecrackers.
“Before we knew it, someone said, ‘No, that’s gunfire, run,’ and we saw people coming off the top,” she advised CTV News, certainly one of Canada’s nationwide tv broadcasters.
“There were thousands of people there and there were a lot of gunshots that just kept coming,” Lee stated.
The scene shortly turned chaotic as individuals tried to flee, Lee stated.
“And then a fellow jumped,” she stated. “It was someone trying to get away, and he dropped to the next level, but he fell on his back, and it was … it just was awful.”
In previous years, workers at the archaeological web site carried out safety scans earlier than individuals entered the realm however have since stopped, one native information famous.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on social media that the taking pictures can be investigated and that she was in contact with the Canadian Embassy.
“What happened today in Teotihuacán deeply pains us. I express my most sincere solidarity with the affected individuals and their families,” she wrote.
Anita Anand, Canada’s overseas affairs minister, stated on X that as a “result of a horrific act of gun violence, a Canadian was killed and another wounded in Teotihuacán” and that her “thoughts are with their family and loved ones.”
Later in the night U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson additionally expressed “deep concern” and disappointment over the deaths and quite a few accidents, and stated on a publish on X that the U.S. is “ready to provide support as needed while Mexican authorities continue their investigation.”
The National Institute of Anthropology and History stated in an announcement that the Teotihuacán archaeological web site will stay closed till additional discover.
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AP journalist Jim Morris contributed to this story from Vancouver, British Columbia.
