Jacksonville Rapper Julio Foolio Gunned Down In Tampa Hotel Parking Lot On His 26th Birthday

Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio was gunned down in a Tampa hotel parking lot on Sunday, June 23, 2024, while celebrating his 26th birthday. The rapper, born Charles Jones, was ambushed after reportedly disclosing his party location on social media, according to the New York Post.

Julio Foolio Gunned Down On His 26th Birthday

Earlier in the day, Foolio had invited people to a pool party at his Airbnb via his Instagram Stories, telling followers to "DM me for the address." However, his attorney Lewis Fusco said the rapper was asked to leave the property due to exceeding occupancy limits.

"He was asked to leave due to exceeding occupancy limits. He relocated to the Holiday Inn and was reportedly ambushed."

Authorities say that when the attackers opened fire at approximately 4:40 a.m. at the Holiday Inn on Fowler Avenue, Jones and three other victims were seated in their vehicles in the parking lot. The three other victims survived the shooting. Tampa police later released surveillance footage showing the suspects following Jones from location to location before the attack.

Multiple Arrests Were Made In The Case

According to UPI, three suspects were arrested on July 29, 2024, in connection with the gang related slaying. Sean A. Gathright, 18, Alicia L. Andrews, 21, and Isaiah J. Chance, 21, were all arrested in Jacksonville and charged with premeditated first degree murder with a firearm and conspiracy to commit premeditated first degree murder. A fourth suspect, 30 year old Rashad Murphy, was also arrested, while a fifth suspect, 27 year old Davion Murphy, remained at large.

According to The Guardian, authorities said members of two rival gangs, ATK and 1200, carried out the ambush that killed the 26 year old musician.

Julio Foolio Had A History Of Violence

According to First Coast News, Foolio's history of violence may have been connected to the fatal shooting. He was reportedly associated with the KTA gang in Jacksonville, which had a long running feud with rival gangs in the area. In 2018, Foolio lost his cousin in a gang related shooting that occurred at his brother's birthday celebration.

In 2021, Foolio was shot at his recording studio in Jacksonville, but the bullet only grazed him. True to form, the rapper taunted the gunmen afterward, saying, "Y'all miss a whole 100 shots literally." His defiant attitude and willingness to broadcast his movements on social media ultimately made him a target. The murder trial for the suspects began in 2025.

A Picture Of The Rapper

The hip hop community continues to react to the developments, with artists, producers, and fans weighing in across social media platforms. In a genre that thrives on authenticity, competition, and unfiltered expression, moments like this become part of the larger cultural conversation that defines each era of the music. The story is still unfolding, and in hip hop, the next chapter is always just one verse, one post, or one interview away from changing everything.