Haitian Immigrant Charged with Murder of Walmart Employee
A Haitian undocumented immigrant has been accused of fatally shooting a Walmart worker outside a store in Pennsylvania. According to sources from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), this individual entered the United States through a migrant parole program established during the Biden administration.
Destino Jean-Louis, 23, faces murder charges for the shooting of 45-year-old Latosha Ann Cooper that took place on October 21, just outside a Walmart in Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County, as reported by court documents and the local District Attorney’s office.
Multiple DHS sources revealed that Jean-Louis legally arrived in the U.S. on November 24, 2023, via Fort Lauderdale International Airport, as part of the CHNV parole program designated for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. However, his legal status was revoked on June 12, 2025.
Following the incident, DHS stated in a release, “On October 23, ICE arrested Destino Jean-Louis, a criminal illegal alien from Haiti, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is being investigated for homicide by Montgomery County.” Records indicate that he entered the country legally and was handed over to local authorities on October 26.
The DHS elaborated, saying, “He chose to overstay his welcome in violation of our nation’s laws. Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.”
It’s believed that Jean-Louis targeted Cooper after a marriage arrangement aimed at securing his immigration status fell apart. They had initially connected while employed at Walmart in 2024, and they married following Cooper’s offer to assist him in obtaining a green card, according to reports from various news outlets.
However, Jean-Louis’s application for a green card was denied in July, leading Cooper to withdraw from the process and cease communication. This prompted him to attempt to find out her work schedule from other Walmart employees and he allegedly waited outside the store for her to finish her shift on the day of the shooting.
Witnesses reported that a co-worker of Cooper’s was talking to her in the parking lot when a masked individual approached and shot her. Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele indicated that Jean-Louis had concealed himself near the bushes with a mask, waiting for Cooper to exit the store.
According to court documents, “When Cooper left the store, he ran towards her and fatally shot her.” Investigators tracked his cellphone records, which placed him at the Walmart around the time of the shooting and on prior nights as well. Furthermore, it was alleged that Jean-Louis had previously assaulted Cooper and had been in contact with store employees regarding her work hours.
Jean-Louis has denied being present at the store at the time of Cooper’s death. He has been charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, illegal use of a firearm by an undocumented alien, carrying a firearm without a license, and possession of an instrument of crime, as indicated in the court documents.
Currently, Jean-Louis is being held without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. Efforts to reach spokespeople for Walmart and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office for comment have been unsuccessful.
