PITTSBURGH — The gunman who wounded five Duquesne University basketball players after a school dance last year pleaded guilty Friday and will spend up to 40 years in prison.

William B. Holmes III, 19, of Pittsburgh, shot players Sam Ashaolu, Shawn James, Kojo Mensah, Aaron Jackson and Stuard Baldonado on campus on Sept. 17, 2006.

Holmes and some male friends had gone to the dance with two women. One woman flirted with some of the players, leading to an argument after which Holmes and another man, Derek Scott Lee, 19, of Pittsburgh, opened fire.

Holmes was sentenced to 18 to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to five counts each of attempted homicide and aggravated assault, and one count each of criminal conspiracy, and carrying a firearm without a license. Lee was sentenced to seven to 14 years after pleading guilty to the same charges Tuesday. Holmes will also serve 10 years' probation after he gets out of prison.

Lee received the lesser sentence because Allegheny County prosecutors determined that he fired two shots, neither of which hit anybody.

"None of the bullets that were surgically removed from the basketball players were identified as being fired from Derek Lee," Assistant District Attorney Mark Tranquilli told reporters after the guilty plea. "All of the bullets that were fired, that were removed, that hit these basketball players were from Mr. Holmes and that's why Mr. Holmes' sentence was essentially double Mr. Lee's."

The wounded players, teammates and coach Ron Everhart were in court, but did not immediately comment.

Holmes did not comment.

His defense attorney, James Sheets, said, Holmes faced the possibility of life in prison if he were convicted at trial.

"We were able to negotiate a sentence far less than what he would have received if he had been convicted at trial," Sheets said.

Holmes' father, William Holmes Jr., said his son was remorseful.

"Before I even knew my son's involvement, I was really watching it on the news and once I found out my son was involved, it was a devastating thing," the father said. "I'm very, very sorry for all the incidents that have happened."

Tranquilli said the players were consulted and agreed with the plea agreement.