WILLINGBORO, NJ — Three men have been charged in connection with the 2024 fatal shooting of a 45-year-old man outside a Willingboro social club, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw announced Thursday.
Kirk Williams, 33, of Burlington City, along with Robert Cardona, 39, and Christopher Tokley, 45, both of Camden, were each charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and weapons offenses in the death of Major Hamilton.
Key Points:
- Three suspects charged with first-degree murder in 2024 Willingboro shooting.
- Victim Major Hamilton was not the intended target of the shooting.
- Defendants apprehended by local police and U.S. Marshals earlier this month.
Shooting unfolded outside busy club
The investigation began on May 21, 2024, after Willingboro police responded to a shooting outside the 609 Elite Social Club on John F. Kennedy Way. Authorities said a dark-colored vehicle drove past the establishment, circled back, and opened fire into a crowd, striking Hamilton in the chest.
Hamilton was transported to Virtua Willingboro Hospital, where he died just over an hour later. Prosecutors later determined that Hamilton was an unintended victim, with the gunmen allegedly targeting another individual at the scene.
Arrests made following year-long investigation
Williams was arrested by Willingboro police on April 10, 2025. Tokley was apprehended the next day in Camden by the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force. Both men were lodged in the Burlington County Jail.
Cardona, already being held at Camden County Correctional Facility on unrelated charges, was formally served with the murder charges on April 22.
Case moving toward grand jury
The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the case is now being prepared for presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment.
A tragic case of mistaken identity led to a Willingboro man’s death, and now three suspects are facing murder charges.
