A Haitian national accused of fatally shooting a Walmart worker outside a Pennsylvania store entered the United States through a migrant parole initiative created during the Biden administration, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sources who spoke with Fox News.
Destino Jean-Louis, 23, faces murder charges in connection with the Oct. 21 killing of 45-year-old Latosha Ann Cooper outside a Walmart in Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County, court records and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said.
DHS sources told Fox News that Jean-Louis entered the country legally through Fort Lauderdale International Airport on Nov. 24, 2023. He was admitted under the Biden administration’s CHNV parole program, which applied to eligible migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
The sources said DHS terminated his parole status on June 12, 2025.
“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.”
The agency said Jean-Louis initially entered the United States legally in November 2023 and was turned over to local law enforcement 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.
Authorities allege the shooting followed the collapse of an immigration-related marriage arrangement between Jean-Louis and Cooper, FOX 29 and 6ABC Philadelphia reported.
The pair reportedly met while working at Walmart in 2024 and later married after Cooper allegedly agreed to help Jean-Louis pursue a green card, 6ABC Philadelphia reported, citing court documents.
According to the outlet, his immigration application was rejected in July. Cooper then pulled out of the process and ended communication with him.
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Investigators allege Jean-Louis subsequently asked Walmart employees about Cooper’s schedule and waited outside the store on Oct. 21 for her shift to finish.
A co-worker told police she was speaking with Cooper in the parking lot when a masked man came toward them and opened fire, 6ABC Philadelphia reported.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said Jean-Louis allegedly concealed himself near bushes outside the Walmart, wearing a mask as he waited for Cooper to leave.
“When Cooper left the store, he ran towards her and fatally shot her,” according to court documents.
Investigators said cellphone data placed Jean-Louis at the Walmart around the time of the shooting and at the location on several previous nights, according to 6ABC Philadelphia.
Court records further allege that Jean-Louis, who previously worked at the same Walmart, had assaulted Cooper before and repeatedly contacted employees in an effort to learn her work hours.
Jean-Louis denied being at the Walmart when Cooper was shot, 6ABC Philadelphia reported.
He has been charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, illegal alien use of a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license and possession of an instrument of crime, court documents show.
Jean-Louis remains detained without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
Fox News Digital said representatives for Walmart and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office were not immediately available for comment.
