Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez entered a no-contest plea in a court case stemming from an incident where he engaged in a vigilante shooting spree. The spree resulted in the injury of a bystander and caused panic near a school filled with children, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office reported.
Velasquez, in a reckless endeavor that transformed Morgan Hill streets into a scenario all too real and dangerous on that day in 2022, fired multiple shots at a truck while inadvertently wounding a man not involved in his grievance. The truck was also carrying the person accused of molesting Velasquez's relative. Velasquez reportedly rammed their vehicle during the pursuit and continued his armed assault.
During his court appearance, Velasquez agreed to the pleas on charges that included attempted murder and assault with a firearm, among others. Sentencing for Velasquez has yet to be scheduled, and the former athlete could face a term in state prison.
"This defendant decided to become judge, jury, and executioner. His actions endangered innocent bystanders, including young children and their parents who could have been injured or killed as he shot at his intended victim," said District Attorney Jeff Rosen, as per the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, emphasizing the peril that the incident posed to the community, some of whom were near the Charter School of Morgan Hill when the chaotic chase ensued, continued to shoot while weaving through the traffic of San Jose's thoroughfares, Velasquez fired from his legally registered .40 caliber handgun.
The attack left Velasquez's primary target unscathed, but the subsequent investigation by Morgan Hill police led to his arrest. According to the same District Attorney's statement, searches on the suspect's phone included queries for cases of sexual assault where the victim's family took retribution into their own hands.
Harry Goularte, the man Velasquez aimed to target, currently faces unresolved felony child molestation charges and is under supervised release with GPS monitoring, which was enacted over the objections of the District Attorney's Office.
