Cain Velasquez, former UFC heavyweight champion, charged with attempted murder

Editor’s note: This story contains details that may be disturbing for some readers.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was formally charged Wednesday with attempted premeditated murder and multiple gun assault charges in relation to a shooting Monday night in San Jose, California, according to a Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office news release.

Velasquez, 39, is accused of targeting Harry Eugene Goularte, who is charged with allegedly molesting one of Velasquez’s young relatives. Velasquez faces 10 counts that could carry more than 20 years of jail time if he is convicted, per a court document.

According to the district attorney’s office, Velasquez was following Goularte’s truck in his own vehicle during an “11-mile, high-speed chase” though San Jose, rammed the truck and then fired a 40-caliber handgun multiple times into the truck, which carried Goularte and two older relatives. Goularte’s 63-year-old stepfather, Paul Bender, was struck once in his arm and torso but he is expected to survive, court documents said.

“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 County DA Jeff Rosen said in a statement. “This act of violence also causes more pain and suffering to his family.”

Velasquez was found and arrested afterward during a traffic stop, according to court documents. He is charged with attempted 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.

Velasquez’s scheduled arraignment Wednesday was continued until Monday morning, when there will also be a bail hearing. He is being held without bail at the Santa Clara County Main Jail North.

According to court documents, Goularte, who was not injured in the incident, is accused of a lewd or lascivious act…