A Haitian national accused of fatally shooting a Walmart employee outside a Pennsylvania store entered the United States through a migrant parole program established 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 the Oct. 21 shooting death of 45-year-old Latosha Ann Cooper outside a Walmart in Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County, court documents and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said.
Jean-Louis entered the United States legally on Nov. 24, 2023, through Fort Lauderdale International Airport under the Biden administration’s CHNV parole program, which covered migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, multiple DHS sources told Fox News.
DHS revoked his legal status on June 12, 2025, the sources said.
“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 before being 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.,” the agency said.
Investigators allege Jean-Louis targeted Cooper after an immigration-related marriage arrangement between them broke down, FOX 29 and 6ABC Philadelphia reported.
The pair 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.
According to the outlet, Jean-Louis’ application was denied in July. Cooper then withdrew from the process and ended contact with him.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Israel's Defence Force releases footage of huge 'Hamas tunnel' – NewsFinale
Investigators said Jean-Louis subsequently contacted Walmart employees to obtain 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 speaking with Cooper in the parking lot when a masked man approached and shot her, 6abc Philadelphia reported.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said Jean-Louis allegedly concealed himself near bushes outside the Walmart while wearing a mask and waited for Cooper to finish her night shift.
“When Cooper left the store, he ran towards her and fatally shot her,” court documents state.
Investigators said cellphone records placed Jean-Louis at the Walmart around the time of the shooting and on several nights before it, according to 6ABC Philadelphia.
Court documents also allege that Jean-Louis, who previously worked at the Walmart, had assaulted Cooper and repeatedly contacted store employees while trying to learn her schedule.
Jean-Louis denied being at the store when Cooper was killed, 6ABC Philadelphia reported.
Court documents show he was 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.
Jean-Louis is being held without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.
A Walmart spokesperson and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office were not immediately available for comment, Fox News Digital reported.