Family Of Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay Has ‘Mixed Emotions’ After 2 Men Indicted For His Murder

Family Of Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay Has ‘Mixed Emotions’ After 2 Men Indicted For His Murder

Update #2 (Aug. 18th): Just hours after it was announced that two men were indicted for the tragic murder of Run-DMC member Jam Master Jay, his family released a statement. It reads in part:

“Upon hearing this news we have mixed emotions. We truly hope that these indictments are a solid step towards justice being served in the murder of Jay. We realize that there are other families out there who have lingering pain who continue to wait for their own closure, and we pray that this case gives them hope.”

See their full statement below.

Run-DMC member Darryl “DMC” McDaniels also released a statement on the update. He said in a statement via SPIN magazine:

“Although this latest news opens up a lot of painful memories for all of us who knew and loved Jam Master Jay, I’m relieved to hear that 2 suspects have been arrested and charged with his murder. It’s been a difficult 18 years not having him around while knowing that his murderers were not yet indicted for this heinous crime. I commend NYPD, NYC Detectives, Federal Agents and all the law enforcement who were involved in this case, for not giving up and working to bring justice for Jay. I realize this is a first step in the judicial process, but I hope Jay can finally Rest in Peace. My love to Jay’s wife Terri, his sons, his family, his friends, and all of his fans. #JMJForever”

Original Story (Aug. 17th): After 18 years, two suspects have been charged in connection to the murder of Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay (born Jason William Mizell.)

The late DJ was reportedly shot once in the head with a .40-caliber bullet at his studio in Queens by a mysterious masked man in 2002.

The murder has been a mystery since then, with very few witnesses and little to no motive, for who or why anyone would want the musician dead. Law enforcement identified at least four possible people that were in the studio with Jam Master Jay at the time, including the two armed gunmen. Jam Master Jay’s friends and the city of New York offered more than $60,000 in reward money, but none of the witnesses came forward.

On Monday, (August 17th) the New York City Police Department released the names of the two alleged suspects, Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington, marking a major break in the case.

Karl Jordan Jr. will be arraigned for the murder and other charges on Monday afternoon (Aug. 17th) and Ronald Washington will be arraigned later this week.

Ronald Washington was reportedly living on Jam Master Jay’s couch, in his home days before his death, and was listed as a possible suspect or witness back in 2007. He is currently serving a federal prison sentence because of a string of robberies he committed, allegedly while he was on the run from police after Jam Master Jay’s death. Ronald Washington was also linked to the 1995 fatal shooting of Randy Walker, who was a close associate of the late Tupac Shakur.

According to CBS News,

“In court papers filed at the time, prosecutors alleged that Washington waved a handgun around and ordered people in Jay’s Queens recording studio to lie on the ground while another man killed him on Oct. 30, 2002.

Washington is also said to have

“provided cover for his associate to shoot and kill Jason Mizell.”

Jam Master Jay’s studio has since been transformed into a Hall of Fame studio that honors his legacy with painted murals and Run-DMC memorabilia decorated on the walls.

He left behind a wife and three children.