A Washington man has been sentenced in connection with a 2023 shooting in Portland that killed an uninvolved bystander, according to reporting from OregonLive.
Incident Details
The shooting occurred just after 4 a.m. on October 15, 2023, during a motorcycle club gathering in Southeast Portland.
Court records show the incident began at a party hosted by the Oregon chapter of the Outcast motorcycle club. A fight broke out during the gathering and spilled into the street near Southeast Foster Road and 86th Avenue, where gunfire followed.
During the shooting, Cali Bolden, 26, a mother of three, was struck and killed. Investigators determined she was not involved in the conflict.
Individuals Involved
The defendant, William Watson, 34, of the Tacoma, Washington area, was identified as a member of the Outcast motorcycle club. He had traveled to Portland with other club members to attend the gathering.
Watson told the court he believed he was acting in self-defense and said he did not intend to kill Bolden.
Charges and Sentencing
Watson pleaded guilty to:
- First-degree manslaughter
- Felon in possession of a firearm
- First-degree attempted assault
He was sentenced to 22 years in prison in connection with the shooting.
Summary
- Location: Portland
- Date: October 15, 2023
- Defendant: William Watson, 34
- Affiliation: Outcast motorcycle club
- Victim: Cali Bolden, 26, mother of three
- Charges: Manslaughter, felon in possession of a firearm, attempted assault
- Sentence: 22 years in prison