The red-emitting phosphor was prepared by the Pechini method. The phosphor was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and photoluminescence measurements. It can be efficiently excited by near-ultraviolet and blue light and exhibits the far stronger red luminescence than the commercial . The dependences of luminescence intensities and the color coordinates on the heating temperatures were investigated. The crystallographic site-occupations of ions in were investigated by the site-selective excitation spectra in the region. The strong red luminescence together with its thermal stability were discussed on the base of the site distributions in host. The phosphor would be a promising red component for solid-state lighting devices based on InGaN or GaN light-emitting diodes.