By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities in Burlington County have announced charges against three men accused of involvement in a fatal shooting outside a Willingboro social club last year, according to a statement released by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Willingboro Township Police Chief Ian S. Bucs identified the suspects as Kirk Williams, 33, of Burlington City; Robert Cardona, 39, of Camden; and Christopher Tokley, 45, also of Camden. Each has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
The charges stem from an investigation that began on May 21, 2024, when Willingboro police officers responded to a shooting at the 609 Elite Social Club located on John F. Kennedy Way.
Officers arrived around 9:15 p.m. after receiving reports of gunfire and discovered that 45-year-old Major Hamilton had been shot in the chest.
According to the investigation, a dark-colored vehicle had driven past the establishment twice.
During the second pass, someone inside the car opened fire on a crowd gathered outside, fatally striking Hamilton.
He was rushed to Virtua Willingboro Hospital but was pronounced dead just over an hour later.
Detectives later determined that Hamilton was not the intended target.