By Mary Manning (contact)

Mon, Aug 18, 2008 (2:20 p.m.)

Residents of northeast Las Vegas are joining forces to stop crime in their community tonight after the most recent homicide of a 31-year-old local Olympic boxer.

The Valley United initiative along with members of Metro Police's northeast area command will hold a public response to violence rally at 7 tonight, at the Vera Johnson Apartments located at 531 N. Lamb Blvd.

The Valley United Initiative is an outgrowth of the Safe Village Initiative that was formed two years ago in response to gun violence.

Rhoshii Wells, a 1996 Olympic bronze medal winner in Atlanta, was shot to death about 5:42 p.m. Aug. 11 at the apartment complex, police said.

Wells was the father of five children. He died hours after emergency medical crews took him to University Medical Center.

A joint law enforcement effort led to the arrest of 26-year-old Roger Randolph of Las Vegas. Randolph was arrested on U.S. 93 near Kingman, Ariz., on Aug. 13, police said. Randolph claims the shooting was in self defense.