PORTLAND, Oregon — A Portland family is grieving after a young mother, 26-year-old Cali Bolden, was gunned down in Southeast Portland over the weekend.
“She would just brighten up the room,” said Melissa Greely, the victim’s mother. “She was the life of the party. Now she is up there dancing in heaven because she loved to dance.”
Greely said that Cali was the youngest of five siblings, full of life — and she absolutely loved being a mom. Now her family is forever changed after she was shot multiple times Sunday morning.
"My phone just started blowing up with people calling, saying that Cali was deceased and she had been shot," said Greely.
The shooting happened at Southeast Foster and 86th Avenue shortly after 4 a.m. on Sunday. Officers found Cali dead at the scene. Two other victims were taken to the hospital with life-threatening gunshot wounds.
"I just had this weird feeling,” said Greely. “I don't know what it was."
Greely said that Cali was out at a bar with friends and believes her daughter was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
"I asked her not to go out,” said Greely. “But she was like 'I need some time.' And I said 'Yeah, your mom needs time too.' And she went out anyway."
This marks Portland 58th homicide so far this year, a statistic Greely never thought her daughter would be a part of.
"She had so many people and friends who just loved her,” she adds. “And she loved her children too."
Cali leaves behind her 8-year-old son, a 2-year-old daughter, and a 10-month-old baby. Her death also comes after the father of her children died of an asthma attack last year.
Greely is now reminiscing on the beautiful memories they've created. She read a heartfelt Facebook post that was dedicated to her years ago.
"My momma is always here for me when I need her to talk or when I just need a hug,” said Greely crying. “She's my real MVP. She makes me want to be a better momma to my son. I love you Mommy and thank you for everything in the last 18 and a half years."
Greely has a message for the person or people who did this to Cali: "Please just come forward. I don't know if it was an accident, I don't know what it was. Just please come forward so we know what it was."
Cali’s parents asked the public to contact Detective Jeffrey McGuire at 503-823-4106 or Detective Jeff Sharp at 503-823-9773 and reference case number 23-270284 if you know anything about the shooting. The anonymous tipline is 503-823-4000.
Anyone wanting to help the family can visit their GoFundMe page for funeral expenses and to help the children. There is also another link to a MealTrain for her three children.