Alleged victim says Cain Velasquez 'has no respect for life' and 'could have shot children'

C. Velasquez (photo) received ten charges after attempted murder (Photo: Reproduction Facebook Cain Velazquez)

The alleged victim of Cain Velazquez in the shooting that resulted in the arrest of the former UFC heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg) has been revealed for the first time since the incident that occurred at the end of February.

Paul Bender, 64, stated last Monday (16) that, after allegedly being shot by Cain Velazquez, he lost the movement of three fingers on his hand and began to fear for his own life and the lives of his family. Bender was driving the car allegedly pursued by the former UFC champion, who was targeting Harry Goularte, accused of molesting Velasquez's four-year-old son. In addition to Bender, Goularte and his mother were also in the car at the time of the shooting.

Paul Bender's comments were made via video conference during a hearing that ended with Judge Shelyna Brown denying yet another bail request for Cain Velazquez.

“Good morning, Your Excellency. My name is Paul Bender. I'm the person who was driving the car and the person shot by Cain Velazquez on February 28, 2022. We were simply following a court order to get a GPS monitoring device for Harry when Cain Velazquez started following us. He shot at us and chased us at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. When we arrived at a stop, near a school, Cain Velazquez He shot us again, damaging my nerve and brachial artery. I lost the use of three fingers and can no longer work because I couldn't pass the medical exam without the use of my right hand. I don't know if the loss is permanent. Cain Velazquez has no respect for human life. He could have easily shot the family in the car next to ours, innocent pedestrians, or even small children. Cain Velazquez he doesn't care who sees him doing it. He doesn't care about justice. If he has the opportunity, I believe he will try to finish what he started. I fear for my life, as well as for the lives of my family. There is no bail or GPS monitoring that can stop Cain Velazquez. Respectfully, Your Excellency, I ask that you keep my family safe and our community safe from Cain Velasquez and deny his request for bail,” Bender said.

This was the second time Shelyna Brown denied Cain Velasquez's bail request. The former heavyweight champion faces charges of attempted murder, shooting at a motor vehicle, assault with a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon, purposely discharging a firearm from a vehicle and possession of a loaded firearm with intent of committing a crime. If found guilty of attempted murder, Velasquez could face 20 years to life in prison.