Crime
Canadian Tourist Li Desong Identified as Victim in Deadly Shooting at Teotihuacán Pyramids Near Mexico City
Authorities in Mexico are investigating a deadly and highly unusual shooting that occurred Monday at the Teotihuacán Archaeological Zone, one of the country’s most prominent tourist destinations.
The incident resulted in two fatalities and at least 13 injuries, including several caused by gunfire.
Officials confirmed that the victims include Li Desong, a Canadian tourist, and the alleged attacker, identified as 27-year-old Julio César Jasso Ramírez, originally from Tlapa, Guerrero.
The attack was first reported at approximately 11:20 a.m., when emergency services received calls of an armed individual opening fire on visitors near the Pyramid of the Moon.
According to preliminary findings, the suspect ascended the Pyramid of the Moon, where dozens of tourists—many of them foreign visitors—were present.
Witness accounts and video footage circulating online show people attempting to shield themselves by lying face down or taking cover behind stone structures as the gunman moved about the elevated platform.
Authorities report that the attacker discharged a handgun multiple times, firing in different directions toward individuals gathered on and around the pyramid.
Seven people sustained gunshot wounds, while six others suffered injuries such as fractures and trauma, reportedly sustained while attempting to flee the scene in panic.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic and terrifying scene, with shots reportedly fired at short intervals.
Some victims jumped from elevated sections of the pyramid in an effort to escape, while others remained motionless to avoid drawing attention.
One witness stated that “everyone was a target,” describing the shooting as indiscriminate.
Emergency responders transported the injured to nearby medical facilities.
Authorities later confirmed that victims included individuals from multiple countries, including the United States, Colombia, Russia, Brazil, the Netherlands, and Canada. Officials reported that the injured ranged in age from 6 to 61 and were in stable condition as of Tuesday morning.
Approximately 25 minutes after the initial attack, the suspect was found deceased.
Authorities have stated that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, although some witness accounts and video evidence suggest law enforcement may have engaged the suspect before his death.
Officials have not yet clarified the exact sequence of events.
Investigators recovered a handgun, ammunition, and a knife at the scene, along with a backpack containing personal items, including written materials and electronic devices.
According to the State of Mexico Attorney General’s Office, the suspect had conducted prior reconnaissance of the site.
Authorities further indicated that materials recovered from the suspect referenced violent incidents in the United States dating back to April 1999, and investigators are examining whether the attacker may have been influenced by past mass casualty events.
Additional reports suggest the suspect had expressed extremist views and may have demonstrated fascination with historical figures associated with violence, though officials have not confirmed a definitive motive.
The case has prompted heightened concern among Mexican officials, particularly given the country’s role as a co-host of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In response, security measures at major tourist destinations are expected to be reinforced, including increased law enforcement presence and expanded surveillance efforts.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum described the attack as deeply troubling and emphasized the need to strengthen national security protocols, while also examining potential external influences that may contribute to such acts of violence.
The Teotihuacán site, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracts millions of visitors annually and is considered a cornerstone of Mexico’s cultural heritage.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish a clear motive and reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the attack.
Officials have urged the public to rely on verified information as more details emerge.
Crime
Jerome DeWayne Hughes, 35, Fatally Shot During Bonfire Gathering in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
A gathering among friends turned into a devastating tragedy Sunday night when 35-year-old Jerome DeWayne Hughes was fatally shot during a bonfire gathering in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. His death has left family members, friends, and others who were present mourning a sudden and heartbreaking loss.
Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the fatal shooting. The suspect, identified as Derrick Lamont Edwards Jr., is facing a murder charge as investigators continue working to establish what led to the deadly confrontation.
According to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 10:20 p.m. Sunday to the 4300 block of Culver Road, west of Tuscaloosa, following reports of a shooting.
Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Captain Jack Kennedy said the shooting occurred during a social gathering around a bonfire. What had begun as an evening spent with friends ended in violence, prompting an emergency response and a homicide investigation.
Hughes had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to DCH Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment, but despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead.
His death has left loved ones grieving a life lost during what was supposed to be an ordinary gathering among friends.
Following interviews with witnesses and an examination of the crime scene, investigators obtained a murder warrant for 23-year-old Derrick Lamont Edwards Jr.
Authorities reported that Edwards was taken into custody within a few hours of the shooting through coordinated efforts involving the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service.
He has been charged with murder and is being held without bond, according to the information provided.
The charge is an allegation, and the case will proceed through the criminal justice system. Edwards is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Although investigators have made an arrest, important questions about the shooting remain unanswered.
Authorities have not publicly explained what led to the confrontation, whether there was an argument before the gunfire, or what may have motivated the alleged attack.
Detectives continue gathering information and reviewing evidence as they work to establish the full sequence of events.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is encouraged to contact Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit detectives at 205-464-8690.
At 35 years old, Jerome DeWayne Hughes had a life and future that mattered to the people who knew and loved him. His sudden death has left family members and friends facing the painful reality of losing someone close to them.
The gathering on Culver Road was supposed to be an opportunity for people to spend time together. Instead, it became the setting of a fatal incident that has deeply affected those connected to the tragedy.
For Jerome’s loved ones, the days ahead will bring grief, difficult questions, and memories of a man whose life ended far too soon.
As the investigation continues, thoughts and condolences remain with the family and friends of Jerome DeWayne Hughes, as well as everyone affected by the shooting.
May Jerome be remembered with love and compassion, and may his family find strength and comfort during this heartbreaking time.
