William A. Watson has been ordered to spend 22 years in prison for the 2023 shooting that killed 26-year-old mother of three, Cali Bolden, outside a Southeast Portland bar. Bolden was shot in the early hours of Oct. 15, 2023, near Southeast Foster Road and Southeast 86th Avenue. Two other people were wounded in the gunfire. The sentencing brings to a close a case that began with far more serious charges and stretched well into 2024 as investigators identified additional suspects.
As reported by KGW, Watson pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and being a felon in possession of a firearm. A Multnomah County judge then handed down the 22-year sentence. Prosecutors had originally charged him with second-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of second-degree assault with a firearm, and the felon in possession charge, according to the outlet. By taking the plea, Watson avoided a trial on the higher counts and the state locked in a lengthy prison term for the deadly shooting.
What Happened That Night
Portland police say officers were called just after 4 a.m. on Oct. 15, 2023, and arrived to find three people with gunshot wounds near Southeast Foster Road and Southeast 86th Avenue. KPTV reported that Bolden died at the scene while the two other victims were rushed to a hospital. In the days that followed, friends and relatives built a memorial of candles and balloons nearby and remembered Bolden as a bright light in their lives.
Plea, Prior Record and Co-defendant
According to KGW, Watson was arrested in September 2024 in Washington state and has a prior conviction from a 2015 case in Kansas. Family members told reporters that Bolden was 26 and left behind three young children, then about 8 years, 2 years and 10 months old, who have since been cared for by relatives. The same outlet reports that a second suspect, Candice M. Hicks, was arrested in September 2024 and has pleaded not guilty. Hicks is currently scheduled to go to trial in February 2027.
Community Response
Relatives who spoke with local media said the sentence provides some accountability but can never make up for the loss of Bolden. KPTV noted that the family launched a GoFundMe after the killing to help cover funeral costs and childcare expenses. Neighbors in the Lents area told reporters the case has left a lasting scar on the community and has fueled fresh calls for stronger efforts to curb gun violence.
Legal Context
The plea to first-degree manslaughter, instead of facing trial on murder counts, reduced the maximum possible sentence Watson risked but still carries significant prison time under Oregon sentencing practices. Prosecutors told the court that the agreement guaranteed a conviction and a long sentence without rolling the dice on a jury trial.
