Further details have surfaced regarding the Monday arrest of former UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez, where the 39-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a shooting involving Velasquez and another man in Morgan Hills, California.
Velasquez, a native of Salinas, California was arrested following an alleged shooting at 3:14 p.m. local time in Morgan Hill, California – located in the state’s Bay Area, where a male was shot “at least once” and subsequently transferred to hospital where his injuries were described as “non-life-threatening”.
According to a report from The San Jose Mercury-News in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Velasquez, who was arrested following the incident, is alleged to have shot at a car containing three individuals – with one of the occupants accused of molesting a close relative of Velasquez. The report from The San Jose Mercury-News details multiple court documents.
The victim of the alleged abuse has had their identity withheld due to their status as a minor, while the male accused of molestation is 43-year-old, Harry Eugene Goularte, with a residence at a home-daycare facility owned by his mother, in San Martin, California.
A further report from NBC Bay Area, court documents obtained in relation to the alleged molestation allege abuse of Velasquez’s close relative may have occured “100 times”.
Monday’s incident involving Velasquez came three days following the aforenoted, Gourlarte’s arranging on Friday, last, on a count of “a lewd and lascivious act with a child under the age of 14”. Goularte was released, and is expected to appear in court on April 13. (H/T MMA Junkie)
The report from The San Jose Mercury-News follow tweets from Twitter user, Fight Oracle, who claimed that Velasquez had opened fire, shooting in the direction of a vehicle containing three occupants, including Gourlarte. However, Velasquez is alleged to have shot Gourlarte’s stepfather during the alleged incident on Monday afternoon.
Velasquez is currently held without bail at Santa Clara County Main Jail, after his arrest on suspicion of attempted murder, however, it is unspecified if Velasquez has been formally charged in relation to Monday’s shooting. Velasquez, 39, is expected to appear in court at 12 p.m. local time on Wednesday.
A 15-fight UFC alum, Velasquez is a former two-time undisputed heavyweight champion under the promotion’s banner.
The American Kickboxing Academy staple last competed professionally back in February 2019 in the main event of UFC Fight Night Phoenix, suffering a first round knockout loss to current undisputed heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou.