A trio of teens charged in connection to the shooting death of a 5-year-old boy more than a year ago entered guilty pleas Wednesday in a Wetaskiwin courtroom.

Although court proceedings were delayed because the prisoner van from Edmonton transporting two of the accused was delayed by driving conditions – the three teenagers each entered guilty pleas to charges of manslaughter.

The teens are facing manslaughter and weapons-related charges in connection to the death of 5-year-old Ethan Yellowbird on the Samson Cree Nation.

The youths were aged 13, 16 and 17 at the time.

Five shots were fired at the home during a drive-by shooting, and one of the bullets went through the wall of the house, striking the little boy in the head while he slept.

“Certainly the guilty pleas are a relief to the community,” RCMP Inspector Charles Wood said. “I mean, the community was so significantly impacted by Ethan’s death.”

However, the guilty plea is a small comfort for some – as the manslaughter charge for youth carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison, and some think it isn’t enough.

“Two years for the life of a wonderful, amazing little boy that we all loved, it’s nowhere near equal,” Melanie Buffalo, an aunt of the victim, said Wednesday.

One person CTV News spoke to described the sentence as a slap on the wrist.

Hobbema, and the four First Nations within have become notorious for crime, but police said the shocking death of the 5-year-old prompted the community to act – and have led to more tips from the public to police, and a drop in weapons offences.

“The success of this investigation rested on a collaboration between the RCMP and the community,” Inspector Wood said. “That’s how we solved this.”

In the end, the community is working towards having the accused and the victim’s family reconcile in a healing circle.

“Justice isn’t in this building,” Tribal Councillor Kirk Buffalo said. “Justice is in the community, and there’s justice in working with people.”

“This will help our family heal,” Melanie Buffalo said. “It will help our family move forward, it won’t bring him back.”

As for the other charges the youths are facing, the Crown said in light of the guilty pleas, the other weapons-related charges are expected to be withdrawn.

The accused have been scheduled to appear in court on November 21, when a sentencing date is likely to be scheduled.

With files from Bill Fortier