Julio Foolio has been killed after, in the words of his attorney, being “basically ambushed” in the wake of an event celebrating his 26th birthday.
In a statement to News 4 Jax, attorney Lewis Fusco said that the rising Jacksonville rapper had hosted a birthday party at an Airbnb in Tampa on Saturday (June 22), which was shut down due to the number of people in attendance.
Foolio, born Charles Jones, took to his Instagram Stories hours before his death, and told followers that the party had been cut short by police officers who also “kicked them out” of the rental property.
News 4 Jax reports that several social media posts had advertised the location of the party.
Upon leaving the Airbnb, Fusco says that Foolio got a room at a nearby Holiday Inn, which is where he was killed.
According to Tampa NBC affiliate WFLA, local police confirmed that the shooting took place around 4:40 a.m. on Sunday morning (June 23), in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn located on the corner of Fowler Avenue and McKinley Drive.
“What we have learned, and this is early in the investigation, two cars were shot at,” Tampa Police Department public information officer Joneé Lewis told the station.
In a press release, Lewis later wrote: “The victim in this morning’s shooting is believed to be Charles Jones. Positive identification is pending confirmation from the Medical Examiner’s Office.”
Three other individuals were taken to an area hospital with gunshot wounds, but are expected to survive their injuries.
This is the fourth time Julio Foolio was the target of a shooting in as many years.
Most recently, the rapper was shot at in the early hours of October 7, 2023. According to WTLV-TV, sources said his black Dodge Challenger was riddled with bullets and he was transported to a local hospital with injuries that were said to be “severe.”
Follio reportedly didn’t cooperate with law enforcement regarding the shooting. However, a gruesome photo of what appears to be his foot with a bloody hole in the middle arch went viral online within days of the incident.
Julio’s family initially addressed the shooting on his Instagram Story, writing: “Keep Foolio, my son, in y’all prayers he was shot last night in his hating city.”
They later followed up with a positive update on his condition, sharing a photo of the rapper in hospital along with the caption: “Yall know he good,”
“On treyd I got right in slides emptyed my whole clip u boys goofies I’m not dead so stop fakin for the internet,” Foolio defiantly bragged on social media at the time.
“I shot back in self-defense,” he added. “My gun is registered. If I did something illegal, the police would put me in jail. A n-gga did miss 100 shoots though. They must have thought I was lackin’ for sure.”
He was also shot in 2020 when traveling around Houston and the near-fatal exchange was turned into lyrics by his rival Yungeen Ace as part of his Vanessa Carlton-sampling “Who I Smoke.”
HipHopDX extends its condolences to Julio Foolio’s family and loved ones.
He’s from Florida so this was destined to happen especially being a drill rapper. Dead or in prison is the only date for these guys.
Who didn’t see this coming. These guys never learn
I pity no fool who trash talks the dead
There will never be a greater sideshow Bob… Clown.
Sideshow Bob pretty much Cheddar Bob himself. First with the disrespecting dead oops and then putting his current location for his opps to catch him. Meanwhile, Kodak Krusty The Klown is still out there smoking crack and telling n***** to tickle another man at his concert.
“ This is the fourth time Julio Foolio was the target of a shooting in as many years.”
Somebody wanted this guy dead for real. It’s also crazy he talked about surviving 100 shots. Like Dolph did. Taboo status…may dude R.I.P
He must not have had some actual friends if he felt the need to invite strangers to celebrate his birthday and advertise his location(s), knowing he has enemies who are now smoking his pack, no Diddy.
Foolio was so versatile. Listen to “Voo Doo” on WSHH. “Life lessons” on his YT channel is one of my favorites but not one of his biggest hits. His music from the last few years was so good.
female rappers seriously outlive male rappers..anyway young thug and his friend ralo,birdman and the radiohost bigboy are evil and shouldve been taken out
I wish these rappers would start acting like they are famous and not get cheap rooms at the holiday inn. Seriously. Ppl need to step their game up. Sad but true . Rip bro
Who? This guy ain’t relevant dead or alive. Respectfully or not. Why is he famous??????????????????????? Where the standards at?
A foolio Fa sho. 😂😂😂😂-
Well we know who did it
Revenge attack?
These rappers so easily forget that their opps are always watching, even online. Dude was caught slipping.
Best news of the day i’m gonna celebrate and pop some champagne 🍾🎊
its shocking that rihanna fans still havent k*lled chris brown for beating up rihanna making her spit up blood….