A Canadian tourist who witnessed a deadly shooting Monday at Mexico’s Teotihuacán archeological site said panic spread quickly as gunfire rang out among large crowds gathered near the pyramids.
In an interview with CTV National News anchor Sandie Rinaldo, Vancouver resident Brenda Lee described the chaotic moments as confusion turned into fear. She says she and her group were in the lower part of the square looking at the Pyramid of the Moon.
“We were waiting to buy something, believe it or not, with our tour guide standing by,” she said. “We heard what we thought were firecrackers and before we knew it, someone said, ‘No, that’s gunfire, run,’ and we saw people coming off the top.”
Lee said the scene quickly became distressing as people tried to escape.
“And then a fellow jumped,” she said. “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.”
She said the area had been crowded at the time of the shooting.
“There were thousands of people there and there were a lot of gunshots that just kept coming,” Lee said.
Lee and her group of seven from Vancouver fled the area under the direction of their tour guide, adding their driver “broke every record and speeding limit to get to us in, in five minutes where it should have taken them 20 minutes.”
She estimated authorities arrived within 10 to 15 minutes.
Despite the incident, Lee said it has not changed her perception of Mexico as a travel destination.
“This is a fabulous city. We haven’t felt unsafe anywhere, and this, honestly, this could happen anywhere in the world,” Lee added.
According to Mexico’s security cabinet, at least one person was killed and several others injured in the shooting at the Teotihuacán pyramids. Preliminary information indicates a man opened fire at the site, killing a Canadian woman before taking his own life.
Authorities said a firearm, a bladed weapon and live cartridges were recovered. At least six people were injured, including another Canadian, as well as individuals from Colombia and Russia.
Officials say the situation is now under control. The incident comes as Mexico faces increased scrutiny over security ahead of the World Cup, which is expected to draw millions of visitors.
With files from CNN
