The family of Jason Mizell, the Run-DMC DJ who was shot to death in a New York recording studio in 2002, says it has mixed emotions about the arrests of two suspects.
“We truly hope that these indictments are a solid step towards justice being served in the murder of Jay,” reads a statement. “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.”
On Monday, prosecutors alleged Mizell – best known as Jam Master Jay – was killed by Ronald Washington, 56, and Karl Jordan, 36, in what is described as “a drug-related homicide.” Washington, who is in prison serving time for a robbery, will be formally charged next week and Jordan was arrested on Sunday.
According to prosecutors, Mizell purchased about 10 kg of cocaine but threatened to cut the suspects out of the profits. He was killed on Oct. 30, 2002 when two masked men entered the studio in Queens and shot the 37-year-old father of three.
Run-DMC was officially retired following Mizell’s death and Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "DMC" McDaniel have reunited only a handful of times since. In 2009, the trio was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Eminem.
The statement from Mizell’s family continued: “In spite of all of the tragedies we’ve seen this year alone, we take comfort in our family, our faith and in time’s ability to heal all.”
The family thanked the public for its support, “kind thoughts and words,” and asked for privacy “as this case moves forward through the judicial system.”