NEW YORK CITY — Two men have been indicted in the 2002 murder of Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay, officials announced on Monday.
The hip-hop star, whose real name is Jason Mizell, was shot and killed in his recording studio in Queens on Oct. 30, 2002. He was 37.
Federal prosecutors and members of the NYPD identified the suspects as Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr.
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Washington has long been a person of interest in the case. He is currently serving a federal prison sentence for robbery and is expected to be arraigned in connection with Jam Master Jay's death later this week.
Jordan Jr. was expected to be arraigned on murder and other charges Monday afternoon.
Jam Master Jay was one-third of the celebrated rap group, Run-DMC — one of the most popular trios in hip-hop history. His fellow group members, Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, were not in the second-floor studio on Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica when the gunfire broke out.
The hip-hop legend was known for his Adidas wardrobe, black hat, leather jacket, and large, gold chain. As a DJ, he had hands of gold.
The NYPD said Jam Master Jay was part of a cocaine trafficking conspiracy that led to his murder, and said the DJ had threatened to cut one of his alleged killers out of a deal with a Maryland distributor.
Jay was playing video games on a couch in the studio shortly before two men were buzzed in by his assistant, Lydia High. One of them hugged Jam Master Jay before the first bullet was fired.
Jay's friend, Tony Rincon, was hit by one bullet in the leg and the next bullet hit Jay in the head, killing him.
He is survived by his wife and three children.
This story was originally published by Mary Murphy and Lauren Cook on WPIX in New York.
