Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has finally broken his silence regarding attempted murder charges he faces.
Velasquez was arrested in California on Feb. 28.
According to reports, Velasquez shot a .40 caliber handgun out of his window during the incident, leaving one man shot. He was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries while another man, Harry Goularte, faces criminal charges after being accused of molestation.
Cain Speaks
— Cain Velasquez (@cainmma) April 12, 2022
Velasquez posted about the incident on Twitter. “To everyone that has expressed your support, my family and I will never be able to thank you enough. From the bottom of our hearts and the depths of our souls, we are forever grateful for your love. Your selfless gestures and kind words have given me strength in my darkest times. This story is complex and slowly unraveling as we speak. To the true victims of this case, may God give you the strength to come forward. Though it is most difficult to relive the pain that has happened to you, in speaking the truth, justice will be served and your own true healing will start. I will never stop helping or loving my community and all of you. Thank you for loving me.” –Cain Velasquez
Judge Jose S. Franco has approved a motion to table the plea hearing for Cain Velasquez to Friday, May 6 at noonET/9amPT.
Courtroom was packed with supporters including coach Javier Mendez and former UFC double champ Daniel Cormier among others.
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) April 12, 2022
Cain’s Pain
The former UFC heavyweight champion currently faces 10 criminal charges, including attempted murder.
According to reports, 43-year-old Goularte is alleged by law enforcement to have “inappropriately touched” a member of Velasquez’s family at a child-care facility a few days before the shooting incident.
Court documents reportedly show that Velasquez chased Goularte down after he had been released on bail in his own court case, despite objections from the district attorney.
I man shot 20 people in Sacremento and got out on 500k
Today Cain Velasquez was denied bail for protecting his family #freecain
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) April 12, 2022
Cain’s Burden
Following his release, Velasquez allegedly pursued Goularte with his family members in tow, ramming their vehicle with his black Ford F250. Velasquez eventually shot at Goularte’s car multiple times, authorities say.
Goularte’s stepdad was hit in the arm, although, according to reports, Velasquez’s target was Harry Goularte. The 43-year-old faces a felony charge of lewd acts with a minor child, and recently appeared virtually at a hearing where he asked for a continuance of his case, which a judge granted.
Goularte’s plea hearing is now set for June 6, in California.
“We intend to prove his innocence, and I think the people around here (protesting) should understand someone is presumed innocent until he’s convicted. He didn’t do it,” Goularte lead defense attorney Stephen DeFilippis said to the media on Wednesday.
Cain Velasquez’s hearing will be on April 12th at the County of Santa Clara Hall of Justice, San Jose, CA. 1:30PM
Come out and show your support if you’re able to. 🙏🏻 #FreeCain #FreeCainVelasquez pic.twitter.com/25Oxh1pky7
— 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜 🇵🇸 (@stiopic_) April 10, 2022
Cain’s Support
Many stars of the UFC have placed their support behind Velasquez, including Rona Rousey and Joe Rogan. UFC Middleweight challenger Derek Brunson is selling FREE CAIN shirts to help the former champion’s family with legal fees.
Recently, Velasquez was granted a continuance until May 6, for a plea hearing, according to reports. He was denied bail after the judge condemned his measures as “extreme recklessness to human life.”
The incident opens up a conversation about vigilantism and when to allow law enforcement to handle a situation. With Velasquez’s case happening at the same time as Goularte’s, it will be interesting to see if one affects the other.
