Hundreds mourn slain Olympian

Rhoshii Wells often referred to himself as the "forgotten Olympian."

But on Saturday, it was clear he was not a forgotten friend, son or father.

Hundreds of mourners crowded into the Calvary Southern Baptist Church in North Las Vegas to pay tribute to the 31-year-old boxer, who won a bronze medal during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

"As a pro, Rhoshii excelled; that fight outside the ring was the one he lost," said his father, Frederick.

Wells was gunned down Aug. 11 as he walked through an apartment complex at 531 N. Lamb Blvd. with his 4-year-old son, Prince.

Wells' neighbors said the struggling boxer routinely spoke about moving his family out of the neighborhood. He said he needed just one fight to earn enough money to leave. Wells drove his neighbors to work to ensure they too had a chance for a better life.

"He don't ever have to worry about catching another fight because God's got his back now," said one woman, who accepted Wells' offer for a ride to work and just recently moved out of the apartment complex.

Wells was remembered as a kind man with a wonderful sense of humor. Wells hadn't fought since 2005, but despite financial struggles, he always smiled and encouraged others, friends said.

"I loved that dude," said Wells' friend Benitez Christian, who told the packed church how his friend would call him constantly at work and ask him what he was doing, even though he was doing nothing different than he was when Wells called the first time. "He had a heart of gold."

Wells left behind five children ranging in age from 3 months to 11 years old. His 9-year-old daughter, Imani, who was out of town when Wells was shot, attempted to read a poem dedicated to her father. She broke down and was escorted back to her seat after just a few words.

"I don't understand," Wells' mother, Linda, said through tears.

Wells' slaying saddened not only his friends, but strangers in the community. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman sent a representative to read a statement Saturday. "As an Olympian, he made our nation proud," Goodman wrote.

Roger Randolph, 26, was arrested in connection with the killing just days after the shooting. On Saturday, no mention was made of Randolph, who told the Review-Journal that Wells punched him and robbed him before the shooting. Randolph said he left the apartment complex, but later returned and shot Wells in self-defense.

Randolph's account does not fit the description mourners offered of Wells.

"You guys raised a champion," one mourner, Calvin Clark, said to Wells' parents.

Contact reporter Adrienne Packer at apacker@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710.