A Haitian national, Destino Jean Louis, has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting his estranged wife outside a Pennsylvania Walmart where she was employed. The fatal incident occurred following the collapse of their marriage, which authorities believe was entered into solely for immigration purposes.
U.S. Marshals arrested Jean Louis, 23, in Philadelphia on suspicion of immigration violations, including overstaying his visa. He was already in federal custody when the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office added murder charges related to the Oct. 21 shooting. The visa Jean Louis initially obtained was through a relief program for Haitian nationals that has since been terminated.
The victim, 45-year-old Latosha Ann Cooper, was Jean Louis' estranged wife. Court documents indicate that immigration officials had determined their marriage, solemnized in March, was not legitimate. Cooper had reportedly withdrawn her petition to sponsor Jean Louis' visa in July.
According to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, Jean Louis allegedly lay in wait near a bush outside the Walmart after Cooper finished her night shift. Prosecutors stated that phone records show Jean Louis made multiple trips to the vicinity of the Walmart in the weeks leading up to the shooting.
Jean Louis, who had previously been employed at the same Walmart but was terminated for immigration-related reasons, is also accused of physically assaulting Cooper in the past and repeatedly contacting store staff to obtain her work schedule. He is being held without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
Charges against Jean Louis include first-degree murder, third-degree murder, illegal alien use of a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, and possession of an instrument with intent to commit a crime.