DA: Kane Velázquez took the law into his own hands after a high-speed chase, alleged shooting

Former UFC heavyweight champion Kane Velázquez is due to stand trial on Wednesday afternoon on charges of attempted premeditated murder and other charges after allegedly shooting a man accused of harassing a close relative.

The Santa Clara County, California District Attorney’s Office announced the charges two days after Velazquez, 39, was arrested Monday and charged with attempted murder.

Prosecutors say the former UFC champion fired a .40 pistol “repeatedly” at a truck carrying 43-year-old Harry Goularte Jr., the man accused of harassing a close relative. Velázquez also hit the truck, a Chevy Silverado, with his Ford truck.

Gularte Jr. and another relative in the car were not injured in the alleged accident, but it is alleged that a 63-year-old relative of Gularte was wounded once by a gunshot wound. The relative is expected to survive after being taken to a local hospital.

“The sad tragedy is that Mr Velazquez chose to take the law into his own hands, endangering the public and everyone in the truck,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a press release announcing the allegations. “This act of violence also causes more pain and suffering to his family.”

Santa Clara police say Gularte Jr. is linked to the owner of a childcare facility where police were called on Feb. 23 for alleged sexual abuse involving a child; Gularte Jr. is said to have lived in the facility but is not an employee. After interviewing the alleged victim, a four-year-old child, investigators determined that an attack had taken place and arrested Gularte Jr., according to a press release issued by the sheriff’s department. Police say Gularte Jr. “inappropriately” touched the alleged victim “repeatedly.”

The shooting is said to have taken place in Morgan Hill, California. According to prosecutors, Velázquez followed Goularte Jr.’s truck and took part in a high-speed chase through busy streets for 11 miles. The passenger in Gularte Jr.’s car called 911. Velazquez was stopped and arrested by Morgan Hill police in San Jose.

Goularte Jr. was charged with multiple counts of adultery with a minor, according to the sheriff’s office, and was sentenced to $ 50,000 bail in Santa Clara County Jail. He was indicted in the Santa Clara County Supreme Court on February 25, but was released on remand due to the district attorney’s objections, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors say Gularte Jr. was on his way to pick up the monitor when Kane attacked. A report from TMZ on Wednesday said the fighter was furious that the alleged perpetrator had been released from custody.

Investigators are now seeking additional information from other minors who visited the facility, which was closed by the owner pending investigation, police said.

Several UFC fighters have expressed support for Velazquez after details of his case emerged after his arrest.