Former UFC fighter pleads no contest to vigilante shooting
For release on August 16, 2024
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Aaron French
Deputy District Attorney
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Former UFC fighter pleads no contest to vigilante shooting
Cain Velasquez today pleaded no contest to a vigilante shooting spree that wounded an unintended target and sprayed bullets near an elementary school crowded with children, teachers, and parents.
During a high-speed chase on crowded streets in 2022, the 42-year-old former UFC fighter, fired a handgun multiple times at a truck carrying three people, including a man accused of molesting Velasquez’s relative.
In a hearing today, Velasquez – as part of a negotiated disposition – pleaded no contest to attempted murder, felony assault charges, and other related gun charges. A sentencing date has not been scheduled at this time. He faces prison time.
“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,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. “We have excellent law enforcement in this county. Let them do their jobs.”
Velasquez began shooting at the victims at a Morgan Hill intersection. As they tried to flee, he rammed their vehicle and fired more rounds at them, striking the driver in the arm as they drove past the Charter School of Morgan Hill, which was letting out for the day.
During the 11-mile, high speed chase that followed into the busy streets of San Jose, Velasquez fired multiple rounds with his registered .40 handgun.
His target was uninjured in the attack. Velasquez was stopped and arrested by Morgan Hill police.
A search of the suspect’s phone found searches for “sexual assault case where victims family fights back" and "sexual assault cases where victims family retaliates."
Meanwhile, the intended victim, Harry Goularte, 43, continues to face pending felony child molestation charges. Goularte is out of custody after a judge released him on the supervised own recognizance release program with GPS monitoring over the District Attorney’s objections.
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