A 23-year-old Haitian national, Destino Jean-Louis, has been charged with murder in the Oct. 21 shooting death of Latosha Ann Cooper, 45, outside a Walmart in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sources confirmed to Fox News that Jean-Louis entered the United States legally on November 24, 2023, via Fort Lauderdale International Airport under the CHNV parole program, which applies to migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. His legal status was later revoked by DHS on June 12, 2025.
According to a statement from DHS, Jean-Louis was arrested in Philadelphia on October 23 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is currently under investigation for homicide by Montgomery County authorities. DHS noted that Jean-Louis entered the country legally and was transferred to local authorities on October 26, stating, "He chose to overstay his welcome in violation of our nation’s laws. Under President Trump and [DHS] Secretary [Markwayne] Mullin, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S."
Investigators allege that Jean-Louis targeted Cooper after an immigration-related marriage arrangement between them soured. The pair reportedly met in 2024 while working at the same Walmart, and Cooper allegedly offered to assist Jean-Louis in obtaining a green card. His application was denied in July, at which point Cooper reportedly withdrew from the process and ceased contact with him.
Jean-Louis, a former Walmart employee, is accused of contacting other store employees to ascertain Cooper’s work schedule. He allegedly waited outside the store for her shift to end on October 21. A coworker told police that a masked man approached and shot Cooper as she spoke with her in the parking lot. Court documents indicate Jean-Louis was wearing a mask and hiding near bushes outside the Walmart. "When Cooper left the store, he ran towards her and fatally shot her," according to the documents.
Cellphone records reportedly placed Jean-Louis at the Walmart around the time of the shooting and on several prior nights. Investigators also allege that Jean-Louis had previously assaulted Cooper and repeatedly contacted store employees seeking her schedule. Jean-Louis has denied being at the store during the incident, according to 6ABC Philadelphia.
He faces charges including first-degree murder, third-degree murder, illegal alien use of a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, and possession of an instrument of crime. Jean-Louis is being held without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.