A Bradenton father has been sentenced to two decades in prison for the 2022 fatal shooting of his daughter’s boyfriend.

Charles Heaven, 50, entered a plea of no contest to the lesser charge of manslaughter with a firearm on Oct. 24, according to court records. The plea comes more than two years after detectives say Heaven shot and killed 30-year-old Keith Smith during an argument outside his daughter’s Bradenton apartment.

Circuit Court Judge Frederick Mercurio sentenced Heaven to 20 years in prison with credit for time served. As part of his sentence, Heaven is barred from contacting Smith’s family.

Court records show Heaven was set to go to trial for second-degree murder with a firearm in October, but his defense attorney and the state negotiated a plea deal that involved Heaven pleading no contest to the lesser manslaughter charges.

The maximum sentence for second-degree murder with a firearm in Florida is life in prison, compared to a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for manslaughter with a firearm.

Heaven’s attorney did not immediately respond to the Bradenton Herald’s request for comment.

Detectives say the shooting happened on the evening of Sept. 20, 2022, at The Venue at Lockwood Apartments, in the 3200 block of 54th Drive E., Bradenton.

According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Heaven arrived at his 24-year-old daughter’s apartment, where Smith was present. An argument erupted between the two men, escalating as Heaven and Smith moved outside the apartment building. Once outside, detectives say Heaven pulled out a gun and shot Smith in the chest.

Deputies found Smith gravely injured after responding to a 911 call reporting the shooting. Emergency responders brought Smith to HCA Florida Blake Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from his injuries.

Heaven fled the scene following the shooting, prompting a manhunt and a $5,000 reward. Two days later, Heaven turned himself in to authorities.