A 27-year-old man was given the maximum 30-year sentence for pulling a pistol during a late-night brawl among several men outside a Brooklyn Center hotel and fatally shooting a combatant.

Antonio X. Daniels, of Minneapolis, was sentenced Tuesday by Hennepin County District Judge Gina Brandt in the death of Michael McGowan, 25, of Minneapolis, outside the Days Inn along Interstate 694 near Shingle Creek Parkway.

Jurors had found Daniels guilty of second-degree murder in March.

With credit for time served since his arrest, Daniels could be placed on supervised release in about 18 years. His defense had sought a four-year sentence.

"This is yet another senseless act of gun violence," said County Attorney Mike Freeman. "[We] are pleased that the judge agreed with our request for the maximum sentence."

About 3:30 a.m. on Aug. 22, 2013, police were called to the Super 8 Motel, where McGowan had collapsed in an entryway. He had been shot in the chest in the neighboring Days Inn parking lot.

Daniels was among one group of men that got into a fist fight with other men, including McGowan, according to police.

It was during the fisticuffs that Daniels pulled a gun and shot McGowan.

During the trial, Daniels claimed without success that he shot McGowan in self-defense.

PAUL WALSH