A peaceful visit to the ancient Pyramid of the Moon in Mexico turned tragic on Monday when a gunman opened fire on tourists, causing one fatality and multiple injuries.

Deadly Attack at Historic Site

The incident occurred at the Teotihuacan archaeological site, located northeast of Mexico City. Barbara Welsh, a tourist from British Columbia, Canada, was fatally shot while taking a photo with her group near the pyramid.

Chaos and Escape

Witnesses described a scene of panic as tourists scrambled to escape the gunfire, tumbling down the steep stone stairs. The attacker, identified as 27-year-old Julio Cesar Jasso Ramirez, reportedly ranted against tourists and played disturbing music during the assault.

Casualties and Investigation

In addition to Welsh’s death, at least 13 other international tourists were injured. The wounded included citizens from the United States, Russia, the Netherlands, Brazil, and a six-year-old boy from Colombia. All injured victims are reported to be in stable condition.

Premeditated Act

Authorities confirmed that Ramirez acted alone and had arrived at the site the previous day. He was found to have possessed a revolver and a bag containing numerous rounds of ammunition. State attorney general Jose Luis Cervantes Martinez stated the assailant had a significant cache of .38-calibre cartridges, indicating a planned attack.

Survivor's Account

Barbara Welsh recounted that her tour guide quickly urged her group of seven women to retreat to the parking lot when the shooting began. Their driver sped away while gunfire continued for approximately 20 minutes.

Resilience and Hope

Welsh believes that descending from the pyramid shortly before the attack likely saved her life. Despite the trauma, she expressed hope that the incident would not negatively impact Mexico City’s reputation as a welcoming destination.

The shooting serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers faced by travelers at popular tourist locations worldwide.