Hobbema RCMP arrest two youths in connection with Ethan Yellowbird shooting

Third suspect remains at large

Ethan Yellowbird who was killed by a stray bullet while he was in bed in the Samson townsite in Hobbema.

HOBBEMA - Hobbema RCMP say two male youths have been arrested in the shooting death of five-year-old Ethan Yellowbird.

A third youth is being sought by police in connection with the slaying.

Police released the information at an 11 a.m. news conference in Hobbema. RCMP officers were joined by Chief Marvin Yellowbird.

John Crier, one of Ethan’s relatives, read a statement on behalf of the young boy’s mother, Ashley Yellowbird.

“The morning of July 11, 2011, changed my whole entire family’s lives forever.”

She described the seven months since her son’s killing as a “long and painful road” and expressed relief at news of the arrests.

“My son will always be in my heart and memory,” the statement read.

The two youths appeared Tuesday morning in Wetaskiwin, charged with manslaughter, intentional discharge of a firearm and endangering life. RCMP believe the third suspect may be in Edmonton or Red Deer.

None of the teens can be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act and their ages are not being released by RCMP.

Ethan Yellowbird was killed in July when he was struck by a bullet while he slept at his father’s house. The death and other high-profile crimes made headlines across the country and sparked soul-searching about how to stop gang violence in the community. Last week, Samson Cree First Nation band members voted in favour of a bylaw that would allow the band and council to evict gang members.

A statement released by RCMP said the community was deeply affected by the little boy’s death.

“The death of five year old Ethan Yellowbird was a tragedy to the entire community, including the RCMP officers who know the local kids,” Staff Sgt. Charlie Wood said. “What stands out to me, is that right from the early days of shock and the grief, this community was asking the RCMP, ‘What can we do to help you solve this crime?’ That is the attitude that has helped us solve this case.”

RCMP say the seven-month investigation involved 14 full-time investigators, 14,000 hours of work, and contact with hundreds of witnesses.

RCMP Insp. Garrett Woolsey said the arrests came about because of witnesses who stepped up to help police, and the determination of investigators.