Citizens gather outside San Jose courthouse in support of Cain Velasquez

As more and more details have emerged surrounding Cain Velasquez, the support for the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight champion has increased. On Weds., March 2, 2022, several civilians were spotted outside the San Jose, Calif., courthouse wearing “#FreeCain” shirts.

Multiple fighters have also taken to social media to share their support of one of American Kickboxing Academy’s (AKA) pillars.

Velasquez was formally charged in Santa Clara, Calif., with 10 total offenses, including first-degree attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and shooting an occupied motor vehicle.

The incident involving Velasquez, 39, saw him allegedly shoot the 63-year-old stepfather of Harry Goularte, Paul Bender, with a registered .40 handgun as he rammed his truck into theirs. Only one of the multiple shots fired hit and Bender is expected to survive. None of the others in the truck were harmed. Velasquez chased the vehicle for 11 miles.

Velasquez’s reasoning behind his actions surrounds Goularte specifically, whose mother, Patricia, ran a daycare that Velasquez once utilized. Goularte was recently arraigned on felony molestation charges, according to court records. Multiple incidents are believed to have taken place at said daycare. Goularte has since been released.

“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 District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. “This act of violence also causes more pain and suffering to his family.”

Velasquez’s arraignment was originally set for March 2, but will now take place Mon., March 7, 2022.