Cain Velasquez Story: Shooting, Plea, and Prison Release

Cain Velasquez’s shooting, trial, and release span four years: a February 2022 high-speed chase in which the former UFC heavyweight champion opened fire on a vehicle carrying the man accused of molesting his four-year-old son, a no-contest plea to attempted murder in August 2024, a five-year state prison sentence in March 2025, and parole from Soledad State Prison on February 15, 2026, after roughly eleven months in custody.¹

What Set the Shooting in Motion

Harry Goularte Jr., then 43, lived at a home-based daycare on Powder Horn Court in San Martin, California, run by his mother. On February 23, 2022, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office arrested him on suspicion of “inappropriately touching a juvenile victim on multiple occasions.”² The child was Velasquez’s four-year-old son.³

Goularte’s bail was set at $50,000. Two days after his arrest, he was released on the Supervised Own Recognizance Program with GPS monitoring. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office later said it had formally objected to that release.⁴ A California Department of Social Services investigation later substantiated the sexual abuse allegation and issued the facility a Type A deficiency, the most serious category. Goularte was served with an order barring him from the daycare on February 28, 2022.⁵

The February 28, 2022 Chase and Shooting

Three days after Goularte walked free, Velasquez went after him. He pursued a vehicle carrying Goularte, Goularte’s mother Patricia Bender, and Goularte’s stepfather Paul Bender for eleven miles, from near Cochrane Road and Butterfield Boulevard in Morgan Hill into San Jose.⁶

Velasquez rammed the vehicle and fired multiple rounds from a .40-caliber handgun as they passed the Charter School of Morgan Hill during afternoon dismissal. District Attorney Jeff Rosen later said the gunfire “sprayed bullets near a school crowded with children, teachers, and parents.”⁶ The bullets missed Goularte. Two struck Paul Bender, then 64, severing his brachial artery and a nerve. He lost the use of three fingers on his right hand and can no longer work.⁷

A search of Velasquez’s phone after his arrest turned up queries including “sexual assault case where victims family fights back” and “sexual assault cases where victims family retaliates.”⁴

Charges, Jail, and Bail

Prosecutors charged Velasquez with one count of attempted first-degree murder and nine additional counts covering assault with a firearm, shooting at a motor vehicle, and weapons offenses. The attempted murder count carried a potential life sentence with the possibility of parole.⁸

He pleaded not guilty and was denied bail three times before Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Arthur Bocanegra held a preliminary hearing in November 2022. Bocanegra found sufficient evidence for trial and set bail at $1 million.⁹ Velasquez posted bond and was released on November 9, 2022, after eight months in county jail. Conditions included home detention with GPS monitoring, outpatient treatment for traumatic brain injuries, counseling, and a protective order requiring him to stay at least 300 yards from Goularte, Patricia Goularte, and Paul Bender.¹⁰

The No-Contest Plea

On August 16, 2024, Velasquez pleaded no contest to attempted murder, felony assault, and multiple weapons charges. In exchange, prosecutors dropped the premeditation enhancement, taking a mandatory life sentence off the table.¹¹

Rosen used the plea to draw a hard line on vigilantism. “This defendant decided to become judge, jury, and executioner,” he said. “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.” He added: “We have excellent law enforcement in this county. Let them do their jobs.”⁴

Sentencing in March 2025

Judge Bocanegra sentenced Velasquez on March 24, 2025. Deputy District Attorney Aaron French asked for 25 years to life, arguing Velasquez had tried to “impose and execute a death sentence” on Goularte in a pursuit with an “extraordinary level of danger.” Defense counsel asked for probation and no prison time.¹²

Paul Bender read a victim impact statement asking for the maximum sentence, telling the court he would have bled to death if Goularte himself had not applied pressure to his wounds before paramedics arrived. Velasquez addressed the court, calling his actions “reckless and dangerous” and saying he was “truly sorry.”¹³

Bocanegra imposed five years in state prison and four years of supervised probation, crediting Velasquez with 1,283 days already served in jail and under house arrest.¹⁴ The judge was visibly emotional. “Punishment comes in many ways, and one of the worst is forcing a father to not be present in his child’s life,” he said, noting that while Velasquez was the offender in the attempted murder case, “his family is also the victim in the child molestation case.” He pointed to Velasquez’s lack of any prior record, his remorse, and his acceptance of responsibility.¹²

Patricia Goularte told reporters the five-year sentence was “extremely disappointing” and maintained the allegation against her son “has no basis.”¹²

Release From Soledad State Prison

Velasquez was released on parole from Soledad State Prison on February 15, 2026, after roughly eleven months in custody. The California Department of Corrections confirmed he had served his full sentence once the 1,283 days of pre-sentence credit were counted, along with additional time off for rehabilitative programming.¹¹⁵

In March 2026, Velasquez posted his first public statement on Instagram. “It’s good to be out,” he said. “I just wanted to thank everybody for their love and support. Your words of inspiration, of encouragement constantly lifted me up.”¹⁶ In a June 2026 interview with NBC Bay Area, he said he was mentoring fighters and teaching at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, and was promoting a breathing technique he developed in prison. “It all just starts with forgiving yourself,” he said.¹⁷

What’s Still Open

Velasquez remains on parole and under four years of supervised probation. A hearing was scheduled for June 3, 2026, to fix the restitution he owes to Paul Bender and the Goularte family.¹⁴

The Velasquez family also has a pending civil suit against Harry Goularte, Patricia Goularte, and Paul Bender, alleging negligence and sexual battery tied to the daycare. A jury trial in that case was set for November 9, 2026.¹⁴ Goularte’s own criminal case is still active. He pleaded not guilty to one felony count of lewd acts with a minor, and a jury trial was set for June 2025.¹⁸

1
ESPN. Former UFC Champ Cain Velasquez Released From Prison on Parole
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Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. Child Molestation Arrest
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ESPN. Former UFC Star Cain Velasquez Sues Man He Allegedly Tried to Kill
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Santa Clara County District Attorney. Former UFC Fighter Pleads No Contest to Vigilante Shooting
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California Community Care Licensing Division. Facility Investigation Report
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Santa Clara County District Attorney. Former UFC Fighter Sentenced to Prison for Vigilante Shooting
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USA Today. Cain Velasquez Alleged Shooting Victim Paul Bender
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ABC7 News. Cain Velasquez Pleads Not Guilty to Charges
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CBS Sports. Judge Grants Cain Velasquez $1 Million Bail Pending Trial
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ABC7 News. Cain Velasquez Bail Released
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ESPN. Cain Velasquez Pleads No Contest to Attempted Murder
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KRON4. Cain Velasquez in Court for Sentencing in 2022 Shooting
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ABC7 News. Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez Released From Prison
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The Athletic. Cain Velasquez Released on Parole After Attempted Murder Conviction
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CBS Sports. Cain Velasquez Prison Release Statement
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Yahoo Sports. Cain Velasquez Releases First Statement
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NBC Bay Area. Exclusive Cain Velasquez Interview
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MMA Junkie. Cain Velasquez, Harry Goularte Court Trial Date