Former UFC Champion Cain Velasquez Pleads No Contest in Vigilante Shooting Case

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has pleaded no contest to charges stemming from a 2022 shooting incident linked to a man accused of molesting a relative. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen announced on Friday that Velasquez, 42, admitted to attempted murder, felony assault, and gun charges, characterizing the event as a "vigilante shooting spree." Initially, Velasquez had pleaded not guilty, with a trial set for September. The incident occurred on February 28, 2022, when Velasquez allegedly fired multiple shots at a pickup truck and pursued it for 11 miles through San Jose and Morgan Hill. The target of the shooting, identified as Goularte, was accused of molesting Velasquez's relative at a daycare operated by his mother. Rosen condemned Velasquez's actions, stating that he took the law into his own hands, endangering innocent bystanders, including children, during the pursuit. During the shooting, Goularte's stepfather sustained injuries, while Goularte and his mother, who were also in the vehicle, were unharmed. Velasquez was apprehended by police shortly after the incident. Investigators discovered searches on his phone related to retaliatory actions in sexual assault cases, further complicating his legal situation. Velasquez now faces potential prison time, although a sentencing date has yet to be established. Meanwhile, the case against Goularte is still ongoing, with him currently on supervised release and monitored by GPS, despite opposition from the District Attorney's office.