On the evening of October 30, 2002, 37-year-old Jason William Mizell, known professionally as Jam Master Jay, was shot and killed at his recording studio in the Hollis neighborhood of Queens, New York. Mizell was playing a video game with a friend when two armed men entered the studio; one fired two close-range shots, one striking Mizell in the head and killing him instantly. Another person in the room was shot in the leg and survived.

For many years the case remained unsolved amid reports that witnesses were reluctant to cooperate out of fear. Authorities later alleged the killing was connected to a drug dispute; in August 2020 two men, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., were indicted on charges claiming Mizell was cut out of a cocaine distribution deal and murdered in revenge. If anyone knew Jam Master Jay, who he associated with, or had information about his studio that night, please come forward to share what you know.