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A Haitian illegal immigrant accused of fatally shooting a Walmart employee outside a Pennsylvania store entered the U.S. through a Biden-era migrant parole program, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sources told Fox News.
Destino Jean-Louis, 23, is charged with murder in the Oct. 21 shooting death of 45-year-old Latosha Ann Cooper outside a Walmart in Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County, according to court documents and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
Multiple DHS sources told Fox News that Jean-Louis entered the U.S. legally on Nov. 24, 2023, through Fort Lauderdale International Airport under the Biden administration’s CHNV parole program for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
His legal status was revoked by DHS on June 12, 2025, the sources said.
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Destino Jean-Louis, 23, is charged with murder in the Oct. 21 shooting death of 45-year-old Latosha Ann Cooper outside a Walmart in Cheltenham Township. (Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office)
“On October 23, ICE arrested Destino Jean-Louis, a criminal illegal alien from Haiti, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,” DHS said in a statement to Fox News. “Jean-Louis is currently under investigation for homicide by Montgomery County.”
DHS said Jean-Louis entered the country legally in November 2023, and was transferred to local authorities on Oct. 26.
“He chose to overstay his welcome in violation of our nation’s laws. Under President [Donald] 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.,” DHS said.
Investigators allege Jean-Louis targeted Cooper after an immigration-related marriage arrangement between the two fell apart, according to FOX 29 and 6abc Philadelphia.
The two met while working at Walmart in 2024, and later married after Cooper allegedly offered to help Jean-Louis obtain a green card, 6abc Philadelphia reported, citing court documents.
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DHS said Jean-Louis entered the country legally in November 2023, and was transferred to local authorities on Oct. 26. (U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia via X)
His application was denied in July, and Cooper withdrew from the process and cut off contact with him, according to the outlet.
Investigators said Jean-Louis then contacted Walmart employees seeking Cooper’s work schedule and allegedly waited outside the store for her shift to end on Oct. 21.
A co-worker told police she was talking with Cooper in the parking lot when a masked man approached and shot her, 6abc Philadelphia reported.
Jean-Louis allegedly hid near bushes outside the Walmart wearing a mask and waited for Cooper to finish her night shift, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele.
“When Cooper left the store, he ran towards her and fatally shot her,” according to court documents.
Cellphone records placed Jean-Louis at the Walmart around the time of the shooting and on several nights beforehand, investigators said, according to 6abc Philadelphia.
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Jean-Louis is being held without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, per court documents. (U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia via X)
Court documents also allege Jean-Louis, a former employee at the same Walmart, had previously assaulted Cooper and repeatedly contacted store employees seeking her work schedule.
Jean-Louis denied being at the store when Cooper was killed, according to 6abc Philadelphia.
He is charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, an illegal alien use of a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license and possession of an instrument of crime, according to court documents.
Jean-Louis is being held without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
A spokesperson for Walmart and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Robert McGreevy contributed to this report.
