Haitian national Destino Jean Louis faces murder charges after allegedly killing his estranged wife outside the Pennsylvania Walmart where she worked, following the breakdown of their marriage, according to court records and a statement from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
U.S. Marshals arrested Jean Louis in Philadelphia on Friday morning on allegations that he overstayed his visa. He had initially received the visa through a now-terminated relief program for Haitian nationals. While he remained in federal custody, Montgomery County prosecutors charged him in connection with the killing, authorities said.
“At 9 AM on Friday, October 23rd, Destino Jean Louis, 23, was arrested by [U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia] on the 6600 block of N. 18th St for immigration violations. Louis, a Haitian national who overstayed his visa, was the prime suspect in the October 21st fatal shooting of a 45 year-old Walmart employee who had just left her shift,” U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia wrote in a Monday post on X.
U.S. Marshals take Destino Jean-Louis into custody. (U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia)
Authorities identified the victim as 45-year-old Latosha Ann Cooper, Jean Louis’ estranged wife. The couple married in March, but immigration officials later determined the marriage was not legitimate and had been entered into solely for immigration purposes, investigators told Fox29.
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According to documents reviewed by Fox29, Cooper withdrew her petition to sponsor Jean Louis’ visa in July.
U.S. Marshals arrest Destino Jean Louis in Philadelphia. (U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia)
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Jean Louis allegedly concealed himself near a bush outside the Walmart where Cooper worked, wearing a mask as he waited for her to finish her overnight shift, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said.
Court documents allege that Jean Louis ran toward Cooper as she left the store and shot her, killing her.
The filings further state that Jean Louis, a former Walmart employee who was dismissed for immigration-related reasons, had previously assaulted Cooper and repeatedly contacted store employees to obtain her work schedule.
U.S. Marshals arrest Destino Jean Louis. (U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia)
Phone records also showed that Jean Louis made multiple trips between his Philadelphia residence and the Walmart in Cheltenham during the weeks before the shooting, prosecutors said in court documents.
Jean Louis faces charges of first-degree murder, third-degree murder, illegal alien use of a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license and possessing an instrument of crime, according to court records.
News Outlet contacted the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office for additional information.
Jean Louis is being held without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, court documents state.
