Cain Velasquez was arraigned earlier this morning. 39 year old former UFC champion was formally charged with attempted, premeditated murder and other related charges stemming from a shooting Monday evening in San Jose, California, according to the Santa Clara County district attorney.
“Velasquez, 39, fired a handgun multiple times into a truck carrying Harry Goularte, and two older relatives and rammed the truck with his truck,” Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a release. “Goularte’s male relative, 63, was struck once, but expected to survive.
“The sad tragedy is that Mr. Velasquez chose to take the law into his own hands, endangering the public and everyone in the truck. This act of violence also causes more pain and suffering to his family.”
In a criminal complaint acquired by MMA Junkie through the Santa Clara County Superior Court, Velasquez has been charged with attempted murder (one count), shooting at a motor vehicle or aircraft (one count), assault with a firearm (three counts), assault with a deadly weapon (three counts), willfully discharging a firearm from a vehicle (one count), and carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony (one count).
Goularte is facing felony child molestation charges. He was granted release from custody without bail with restrictions. He is accused of molesting Velasquez’s underaged relative (4) (relation withheld to protect the identity of the victim). Cain is facing the possibility of lifetime imprisonment.
Velasquez is being held without bail at the Santa Clara County jail. According to ABC-7, no bail was set, and three witness protective orders were issued.
A number of fighters expressed their support of Velasquez. Among the supporters – UFC president Dana White.
White told Barstool sports:
“I obviously feel sorry for him and his family,” White said. “It’s a horrible thing. I don’t know enough details to speak on it, but from what I’ve heard – we all say we’d do it if it ever happened to us. Cain did it.”
Derek Brunson was proactive from the get go. Hashtag #freecain was launched in addition to featuring a tee shirt on his website. The proceeds from T shirt sales will be going to Velasquez’ legal fees.
https://t.co/mgR39ywY4u CORRECT LINK
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 2, 2022
Brunson specifies that 50% of the fee allotted will go to Velasquez’ legal defense fund. This is fairly common in the merch business – the cost of printing a tee shirt and shipping usually accounts for the other 50% of the money spent.
Others who have voiced their support for Velasquez include AKA (his home team) aces Daniel Cormier, Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov and UFC fighters Israel Adesanya, Justin Gaethje, TV personality Mario Lopez, former fighters Ben Askren, Jake Shields and more.