Man Charged In Fatal Shooting Of Walmart Employee In Montco

CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP, PA — The fatal shooting of a Walmart worker was targeted by a Philadelphia man who had worked at the store and had a romantic relationship with the victim with plans for marriage, authorities said.

Destino Jean-Louis, 23, of Philadelphia, was arrested on Monday in the fatal shooting of 45-year-old Latosha Ann Cooper last Wednesday in the parking lot of Walmart in Cheltenham, authorities said.

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He is charged with First-Degree Murder, Third-Degree Murder and related firearm charges.

Authorities said that Jean-Louis formerly worked at the Walmart with the victim and had a romantic relationship with Cooper.

Authorities said the victim and Jean-Louis were issued a marriage license on March 31, 2025, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said.

Detectives also learned that Jean-Louis was having immigration issues, and a recent fallout between the victim and Jean-Louis further amplified the issues.

The fatal shooting happened at 11:30 p.m. last Wednesday at the Walmart at 1000 S. Easton Road. Police found Cooper lying next to her Nissan sedan with a gunshot wound to the head.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said that Cooper and a coworker left the store after their shift and were standing outside talking when a masked man walked up to the victim and shot her.

He then ran across Cheltenham Avenue into Philadelphia County.

Video surveillance showed the shooter standing near a bush with a direct line of sight to the entrance of the store, waiting for the victim to leave.

Detectives further learned through interviews and record searches that

On Friday, U.S. Marshals arrested Jean-Louis at his home after an immigration investigation.

Authorities found a sandwich bag containing 11 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition was recovered.

Jean-Louis' cell phone records showed multiple trips between the Philadelphia home and the Walmart, the victim's workplace, in the weeks leading up to the murder and also placed him in the area of the Walmart parking lot at the time of the murder, authorities said.