ST. PAUL — A man charged with gunning down his ex-boyfriend and business partner at a Minnesota gas station last summer pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree intentional murder.

Lyle “Ty” Hoffman, 44, entered his plea in Ramsey County District Court. He admitted to a judge that he shot 48-year-old Kelly Phillips on Aug. 11 after a “heated argument”.

“It was so fast,” Hoffman said in court.

As part of the plea deal, prosecutors will seek a sentence of 25 1/2 years in prison when Hoffman is sentenced on March 17.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi released a statement after Friday’s hearing, saying the plea spares everyone who loved Phillips the burden of a trial. Reports said Hoffman’s attorney declined to speak with reporters.