A Lakeland apartment complex's owners and managers agreed to pay a total of $1.3 million to the family of a resident who was fatally shot in the premises' parking lot.

The victim, 21-year-old Jean Desroche, was shot at least five times and was pronounced dead after being removed to a hospital. In a resultant lawsuit, Desroche's family contended that Lakewood Terrace Apartments' management did little to secure the premises, despite a history of criminal activity.

Lakewood Terrace contended that Desroche was a targeted victim and, therefore, that the October 2016 shooting could not have been prevented, but it ultimately agreed to a settlement to avoid a trial.

The case, filed in Polk Circuit Court, is Estate of Desroche v. Lakewood Terrace Affordable Housing Group Ltd. It settled Dec. 12, 2020.

Pedro P. Echarte III of The Haggard Law Firm in Coral Gables represented the plaintiff, while Eric McAliley of Lydecker | Diaz in Miami handled the defense.