Delran Man Charged With Murder For 2016 Willingboro Shooting Death

Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 6:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

WILLINGBORO, NJ.- On Monday, March 24, 2025, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw reported that 31-year-old Delran, New Jersey, man currently incarcerated in New Jersey State Prison has been charged in connection with the 2016 shooting death of a Mount Laurel man inside his car in the Country Club Ridge of Willingboro Township, New Jersey.

     Ronny Paden, 31, has been charged with one count of first-degree Murder; second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; and second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. Paden was served with the warrant complaint at Bayside State Prison in Leesburg, New Jersey, where he is currently serving a New Jersey State Prison term on an unrelated matter.

Nine-Year-Investigation Leads To Arrest

     The charges are the result of an investigation that began on April 15, 2016, when, at around 3:15 a.m., members of the Willingboro Township Police Department responded to a report of a man being shot on Woodhaven Lane in the Township. 

     Upon arrival, Police Officers found Colby Rodger, 31, of Mount Laurel, shot dead in the driver’s seat of his Kia Optima on Woodhaven Lane. Mr. Rodgers was pronounced deceased at the scene.

     During a nearly nine-year investigation, Detectives determined that Mr. Rodgers and Paden were friends and, apparently, after having a falling out, Paden fatally gunned down Mr. Rodgers while he sat in his car on that night.

     The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office will present the evidence in the case to a Burlington County Grand Jury for a possible indictment.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”