Norristown, Pa. (Oct. 26, 2026) – Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Cheltenham Chief of Police Richard Schaffer announced charges against Destino Jean-Louis, 23, of Philadelphia, for the murder of 45-year-old Latosha Ann Cooper on Oct. 21, 2026, in the parking lot of Walmart in Cheltenham.
The murder occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2026. Cheltenham Township Police were dispatched to the Walmart at 1000 S. Easton Road in Cheltenham for a reported shooting. On arrival, police found Cooper lying next to her Nissan sedan with a gunshot wound to the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cheltenham Township Police and Montgomery County Detectives launched a joint homicide investigation. Through interviews and surveillance video detectives determined that Cooper and a coworker walked out of the Walmart 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 also showed the masked 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 Jean-Louis formerly worked at that Walmart with the victim and had a romantic relationship. Records showed that the victim and Jean-Louis were issued a marriage license on March 31, 2025. Detectives also learned that Jean-Louis was having immigration issues, and a recent fallout between the victim and Jean-Louis further amplified these issues.
An autopsy was performed on Oct. 22, 2026, by Dr. Anna Tart, a forensic pathologist with the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. Dr. Tart determined the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death was homicide. An examination of two projectiles recovered at the autopsy were determined to be .22 caliber ammunition.
On Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, members of the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force arrested Jean-Louis at a residence in Philadelphia following an immigration investigation. A search warrant was executed for the residence by Montgomery County Detectives along with Philadelphia and Cheltenham Police, and a sandwich bag containing 11 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition was recovered.
Jean-Louis’ cell phone records showed multiple trips between the Philadelphia residence and the Walmart, the victim’s workplace, in the weeks leading up to the murder and also placed the defendant in the area of the Walmart parking lot at the time of the murder.
Jean-Louis is charged with First-Degree Murder, Third-Degree Murder and related firearm charges.
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