3rd Man Charged In 2002 Murder of Run DMC’s Jam Master Jay

A third man, Jay Bryant, has been charged in the 2002 murder of Hip Hop legend, Jam Master Jay, of Run DMC.

Bryant, 49, is currently being held on unrelated federal drug charges and will be arraigned on the murder charge at a later date. 

Jam Master Jay, born Jason Mizell, was shot and killed at a recording studio in Queens, New York, on October 30, 2002. 

He was 37. 

Karl Jordan and Ronald Washington were previously charged with killing the Hip Hop pioneer in 2020.

When Jordan and Washington were indicted, authorities said Jam Master Jay’s death involved a drug deal gone bad.

In a letter filed with the court on Tuesday, prosecutors said Jay Bryant entered the building with the other two suspects and fled with them after the shooting. 

Bryant’s DNA was also recovered at the scene.

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace said:

On Wednesday, October 30, 2002, Mizell was present at his recording studio located on Merrick Boulevard in Queens, New York.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., Washington, Jordan and Bryant entered the building. Washington pointed his firearm at one of the individuals located inside the studio and demanded that the person lay on the floor.

Jordan approached Mizell, pointed his firearm at him and fired two shots at close range. One of those shots hit Mizell in the head, killing him.

The second shot struck another individual in the leg. All three defendants fled the crime scene.

Bryant was observed entering the building immediately before the shooting and an article of clothing left at the crime scene contained Bryant’s DNA.

He later admitted to participating in the murder, claiming to one associate that he was in fact the shooter.

Watch the news report below.

For years Jam Master Jay’s murder lingered as a cold case. 

I am so happy his family is finally getting justice even if it took two decades to get it.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or join the convo on our socials. (Facebook, Instagram)

Sources: ABC7NY & All Hip Hop