Things are not looking good for the future of former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.
Velasquez, 39, was arrested on Monday and charged with attempted murder, following a shooting in Morgan Hill, California. Details later emerged that suggested Velasquez had targeted a man accused of molesting a family member of the fighter, only to miss and wound a second individual instead.
On Wednesday, the County of Santa Clara District Attorney released more details in the case, including a host of new charges including attempted, premeditated murder, shooting at an occupied motor vehicle or aircraft; three counts of assault with a firearm; three counts of assault with a deadly weapon; willfully discharging a firearm from a vehicle; and carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony.
According to the District Attorney, Velasquez ambushed a suspect charged with lewd and lascivious conduct involving a minor under 14, in which the alleged victim was a relative of the heavyweight. The man, H. Goularte, his father, and a female relative were on their way to obtain an electronic monitoring bracelet, a condition of the previously arrested Goularte’s bail conditions. While doing so, their truck was rammed by Velasquez’s own, and he proceeded to open fire on their vehicle.
When the victim’s truck sped away, Velasquez chose to follow, engaging in a high-speed chase for over 11 miles on busy streets heading into San Jose. The female passenger in the victim’s truck, who was unharmed, dialed 9-1-1 for help.
The suspect in the original case involving Velasquez’s family member was not hit, however his 63-year old father was — and was later transported to hospital suffering from non-life threatening injuries. He is expected to recover.
“The sad tragedy is that Mr. Velasquez chose to take the law into his own hands, endangering the public and everyone in the truck,” Santa Clara DA Jeff Rosen said in a press release on Wednesday. “This act of violence also causes more pain and suffering to his family.”
Should he be convicted on all counts, the former UFC champion could face upwards of twenty years in prison.
