By: Las Vegas Now Staff
At just 17, another young life was taken in street violence — gunned down and left for dead. Now a community is coming together after the death of Leshonta Matthews, hoping to stop the killings once and for all.
Police from the Bolden Area Command stood shoulder to shoulder with residents — with a message of life and death.
They took to the streets and pounded the pavement. Pastors, police and ordinary people joined hands in memory of Leshonta Matthews, Jr.
“Sometimes a mother or a father of a young one has to come out and say, “This is what happened. I didn't think it would happen to me. I didn't think it would happen to my son or daughter and it did.'” said Metro Officer John Barnett.
That mother is Mima Haley.
“This is the first time I ever had to bury one of my kids,” she said.
Leshonta was just 17, shot and killed Saturday at a West Las Vegas apartment complex — a young man who didn't lead a perfect life.
“It's not ok until all this violence stops,” said Haley.
The Safe Village Coalition and Operation Lasting Peace hope this rally sends a strong message — stop the killings.
Leshonta's brother, Maurice, has already learned some lessons.
“He did things wrong but he was a big brother,” said Lofton.
Maurice says this experience will change him for the better. “He would tell me don't be like him. He would be like, “stay in school.”'
A grieving mother, sister, aunt, uncle and pregnant girlfriend, all left wondering what could have been done to save this life and what needs to be done to save others.
“Maybe this will turn a negative into a positive,” said Leshonta's Aunt Sandra Marshall.
Metro says when organizations and police team up, results can be seen. Officers say crime in West Las Vegas has gone down but it's a work in progress.
Leshonta will be buried Saturday. Metro homicide says they have a suspect in custody for his murder and a weapon in evidence. The suspect is only 16-years-old and is expected to be certified as an adult.
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