You are reading

Two Queens Men Indicted in 2002 Killing of Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay

Photo via Creative Commons Jeff Pinilla, Run DMC

Aug. 18, 2020 By Christian Murray

Two Queens men have been indicted for the 2002 killing of hip hop artist Jam Master Jay–in what federal prosecutors say puts an end to one of the city’s most notorious cold cases.

Ronald Washington, 36, and Karl Jordan Jr., 56, were both charged with murder for the fatal shooting of the hip hop artist inside his recording studio on Oct. 30, 2002 in Jamaica, Queens.

Jam Master Jay, one of the founding members of Run-DMC and whose real name was Jason Mizell, was shot in cold blood at his Merrick Boulevard recording studio following a dispute over a drug deal, according to federal prosecutors.

According to investigators, Mizell acquired approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine from a narcotics supplier in the Midwest. The cocaine was intended to be distributed in Maryland by Washington, Jordan and other co-conspirators.

Mizell, however, cut Washington out of the deal following a dispute, which precipitated the murder.

Jordan, who is from Hollis, was identified by prosecutors as the triggerman. He allegedly shot Mizell at close range in the head.

“The gunshots that rang out in a recording studio in Queens nearly 18 year ago, taking this pioneering rap artist’s life, have been answered,” said Dermot Shea, the NYPD commissioner in a statement.

Jordan pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Brooklyn federal court on Monday and was ordered to be held without bail. Meanwhile, Washington, also from Hollis, is set to be arraigned later this week.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

College Point man charged with arson, attempted murder for allegedly starting 2-alarm house fire: NYPD

One of the five civilians rescued by the FDNY from a 2-alarm house fire in College Point on Friday morning was arrested later in the day for allegedly starting the blaze in his first-floor apartment.

Jonathan Mejia, 33, was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16 on a complaint charging him with arson in the first degree, four counts of attempted murder in the second degree and other related charges.