The RCMP reveals the five-year-old child who was killed in a suspicious shooting south of Edmonton on Sunday was asleep in his bed when gunfire broke out.
The shooting happened on the Samson Cree Nation. The little boy is the grandson of the Samson Cree Nation Chief Marvin Yellowbird.
"I am grandfather of the deceased. We're hoping, but at the same time, it is a tragic day for the Yellowbird family as well as the community," said the Chief.
It's believed the shots came from outside the home around 3 a.m.
"On arrival, RCMP located a five-year-old boy inside the residence who was shot and killed by a bullet believed to have been discharged from outside the residence," said Supt. Curtis Zablocki with the RCMP.
An adult female in the residence sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting, and was taken to hospital.
Investigators say they have not ruled out possible gang activity.
Police reveal a separate house was shot at less than two hours before the little boy was killed. Officers are looking into whether the two incidents are linked.
A neighbour told CTV News she heard a gunshot Sunday night, and a man screaming.
I just got up and heard a gunshot last night," said resident Denise Swampy. "I heard this guy freaking out and that's when I found out it was his little boy."
An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.
Three years ago, little Asia Saddleback was shot in a drive-by in the same community. She survived, but a bullet is still lodged near her spine.
RCMP say there are six loosely-organized gangs organized in the Hobbema area.
The RCMP is asking for the public's assistance in this investigation. If anyone has any information in relation to this incident, they are encouraged to call the local RCMP detachment at 780-585-4600 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
With files from David Ewasuk
