A South Oakland man pleaded guilty this afternoon to aggravated assault in the accidental shooting of his cousin's girlfriend in 2007.

Tim Salter, 22, was sentenced to 2 1/2 to 5 years in state prison by Allegheny County Judge Anthony M. Mariani as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, who dropped attempted homicide charges.

After a night of drinking at an Uptown club, Mr. Salter got in a fight with his cousin, Louis Kendrick, on the street. Mr. Salter's attorney, William H. Difenderfer, said Mr. Kendrick had Mr. Salter subdued and when he let him up, Mr. Salter drew a handgun and fired.

The bullet struck Mr. Kendrick's girlfriend, Sutier Baker, in the neck. She was taken to UPMC Mercy, where she told detectives after she recovered that Mr. Salter was the shooter.

Judge Mariani lectured Mr. Salter, who had no prior criminal record, about the dangers of firearms and marveled at the brief agreed-upon sentence. With credit for time served, Mr. Salter will be eligible for release in November.

"[Mr. Difenderfer] deserves a pat on the back for this one," Judge Mariani said.