By Basant El-Faramawy
A 23-year-old Haitian migrant living illegally in the United States has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of his estranged wife outside a Walmart in suburban Philadelphia, prosecutors announced this week.
Destino Jean-Louis was arrested Friday by federal marshals on immigration violations before being charged with the October 21 killing of Latosha Ann Cooper, 45, outside the Cedarbrook Plaza store in Cheltenham Township.
Fraudulent marriage for green card
According to arrest documents, Jean-Louis and Cooper entered into a fraudulent marriage in 2024 to help him obtain a green card after meeting while working at the store. Immigration authorities rejected the application after determining the union was not legitimate, and Cooper ended contact with Jean-Louis in July after the formal denial.
Immigration status and employment termination
Jean-Louis entered the U.S. in 2023 under a federal refugee program that was terminated in 2025, making him a visa overstay. He was also fired from his Walmart job due to issues surrounding his legal status.
Planned ambush
Investigators say Jean-Louis tracked Cooper’s work schedule in the days before the attack. Surveillance footage showed a masked figure waiting near a bush before approaching Cooper as she left her shift with a co-worker around 11:30 p.m., opening fire and fleeing on foot.
Arrest and evidence
Phone records placed Jean-Louis at the store multiple times before the shooting. Authorities recovered 11 rounds of .22-caliber ammunition at his residence. During questioning, he admitted contacting Cooper’s colleagues for her schedule but denied being present at the shooting.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and Cheltenham Police are urging anyone with information to contact detectives.
