Former UFC star Cain Velasquez breaks silence, thanks supporters amid attempted murder case

Cain Velasquez has broken his silence for the first time since being charged with attempted murder in a shooting-related incident last month.

In a statement posted to his social media, the former two-time UFC heavyweight champion thanked everyone who has given him support and said his case is «complex and slowly unraveling as we speak.» Velasquez has a court date scheduled for Tuesday.

«To the true victims of this case, may God give you the strength to come forward,» the statement read. «Though it is most difficult to relive the pain that has happened to you, in speaking the truth, justice will be served and your own true healing will start. I will never stop helping or loving my community and all of you. Thank you for loving me.»

Velasquez, 39, was charged with attempted murder and multiple gun assault charges March 2, in relation to a shooting Feb. 28 in San Jose, California, per the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office. Velasquez is being accused of targeting Harry Eugene Goularte, who is currently facing charges of allegedly molesting one of Velasquez's young relatives. Velasquez is facing 10 offenses that could carry more than 20 years of jail time if he is convicted, per a court document. He has been held without bail since Feb. 28.

Per the DA's office, Velasquez gave chase to a truck Goularte was riding in over 11 miles through San Jose, rammed the truck and fired a 40-caliber handgun multiple times into the truck, which carried Goularte and two older relatives. A bullet struck Goularte's 63-year-old stepfather, Paul Bender, in his arm and torso, but he was expected to survive, according to a court document. Goularte's mother, Patricia, was also in the truck.

The full Velasquez statement is below:

«To