Inside the Teotihuacan shooting: Gunman’s notes reveal link to ‘Columbine’

A 27-year-old gunman, identified as Julio Cesar Jasso Ramirez, opened fire from the summit of the Moon on Monday, killing a 32-year-old Canadian woman and injuring 13 others.

The incident at the UNESCO World Heritage site ended when the gunman fatally shot himself following a standoff with Mexican authorities.

State officials reported that the gunman was influenced by past mass shootings, such as the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. 

He carried a handgun, dozens of cartridges, and a knife. Prosecutors noted that the shooter, who reportedly suffered from "psychological problems”, acted alone and had scouted the site multiple times beforehand.

Beyond the Canadian woman who lost her life, 13 people were treated for injuries. Of those, seven suffered gunshot wounds, including two minors from Colombia and Brazil, as reported by the BBC. 

According to prosecutorial authorities, the suspect showed signs of psychological problems and was influenced by violent incidents abroad.

According to President Claudia Sheinbaum at a Tuesday media conference. The gunman carried documents that purportedly cited the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in the US. 

This was confirmed by Jose Luis Cervantes Martinez, attorney general of the State of Mexico, which is home to the Teotihuacan pyramid complex.

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

During a press conference on Tuesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the lack of existing security checkpoints at Mexico’s archaeological landmarks. 

In response to the tragedy, she announced the immediate installation of metal detectors at Teotihuacan and other major tourist sites. 

The reinforced security protocols nationwide are intended to reassure the millions of international visitors who travel to Mexico annually.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to kick off in Mexico City on June 11, Sheinbaum met with FIFA organizers to finalize safety logistics. Despite the incident, she maintained that “it is safe to be in Mexico”, vowing to guarantee the safety of fans during the upcoming global tournament.

Teotihuacan is scheduled to reopen to the public this Wednesday with a heightened security presence.