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.

Email your comments to Reporter Aaron Drawhorn

Las Vegas is a city that changes in the blink of an eye. One of the few companies to see nearly all of that change turned 100 years old this year.

Anderson Dairy not only survived to see its centennial, but is still thriving in a town that is very different from the day when the dairy started.

In 1907, Las Vegas was just two years old and starting to grow, when Harry Anderson wandered into town with a couple of cows and decided to start a dairy. He set up his operation in a field across the street from what is now UMC hospital.

100 years later, Anderson Dairy is still supplying milk to the valley.

Vice President Dave Coon took over his portion of the business from his father.

“My father had the good fortunate of going to work for Kenny Searles in 1946 and he was a driver for 10 years and Kenny gave him the opportunity to become part of the ownership in the mid 50's,” he said.

For decades milk was delivered, house to house by horse-drawn carts. And it had to be delivered fast.

“Back in those days, because of a lack of refrigeration, deliveries were made twice a day, to ensure freshness. The only form of refrigeration they had initially was to wet burlap and to place the burlap on top of the milk, the dairy products, and the intention was for the cool breeze as that truck moved, it would create a form of swamp cooling,” said Coon.

The carts were replaced by milk trucks, but returned for a time during World War 2.

Imagine trying to deliver milk twice a day to every home in today's valley. Those days are gone and so is the dairy itself. The company now buys its milk from independent dairy farmers in Utah.

It has survived challenges from a parade of competitors who've come and gone and has adapted to changing tastes.

Milk is still the main product, of course but also ice cream, sour cream and those little coffee creamers seen in restaurants.

Health regulations are far stricter today than when the dairy started.

The years in between are documented in the company's hallways, in photos that trace the growth of both the dairy and the community.

The history lesson is passed along to dozens of school kids who tour the main facility every day. They watch a film about the company and then meet its Disneyesque mascot.

Even for history buffs, one of the best parts of the tour is the ice cream.

Dave Coon says one reason the company lasted for its centennial is community involvement. The company uses the side of its milk cartons to advertise for good causes, including the adoption of wild horses, which it promoted in November.

Anderson dairy is the only locally owned, operated and run dairy in southern Nevada.

Email your comments to Chief Investigative Reporter George Knapp