Arrests after the ambush killing of rapper Julio Foolio

The Jacksonville rapper was shot dead in June while celebrating his 26th birthday.

Update, July 30, 2024: Police confirmed that four people have been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of rapper Julio Foolio. Alicia Andrews, 21, and Isaiah Chance, 21, are charged with first-degree premeditated murder with a firearm and conspiracy, while 18-year-old Sean Gathright is charged with first-degree premeditated murder with a firearm, conspiracy, three counts of attempted first-degree premeditated murder and tampering with evidence, according to WTSP. Rashad Murphy, 30, who turned himself in to authorities Tuesday night, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder.

An arrest warrant has also been issued for 27-year-old Davion Murphy. He is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder. Murphy has not yet been arrested.

The five suspects, who reportedly belonged to rival gangs and whose ambush killing of Jones was allegedly retaliation for an ongoing feud, face up to life in prison if convicted, District Attorney Suzy Lopez said.

Original story, June 24, 2024: Florida rapper Julio Foolio was shot and killed in a Tampa hotel early Sunday morning. The rapper, whose real name is Charles Jones, was shot in what his attorney described as an ambush attack and three other people were injured as he celebrated his 26th birthday over the weekend.

The incident occurred after the rapper was “kicked out” of an Airbnb because the gathering exceeded occupancy limits, his attorney Lewis Fusco told News4JAX. The rapper, who promoted the party on social media, then went to a Tampa-area Holiday Inn, where he was “basically ambushed” in the parking lot. According to Tampa Police Department Public Information Officer Jonee' Lewis, police responded to a 911 call reporting the shooting at around 4:40 a.m. on June 23.

“Upon arrival, officers located two vehicles in the parking lot that had been shot at,” Lewis wrote in a press release. “A total of four people were injured in the shooting. One person was pronounced deceased and three other victims are being treated at the hospital. They are currently listed in stable condition.”

Tampa police said the deceased victim is believed to be Charles Jones, but “positive identification is pending when confirmed by the coroner.” They added the investigation is “active” and police are “investigating what led up to the shooting and are working to identify those involved.” Anyone with information is asked to call Tampa police at 813-231-6130 or submit a tip through Tip411.

“Although these incidents involving our client, Mr. Charles Jones, have been disclosed by law enforcement, we are unable to comment further at this time until more details become publicly available,” Fusco added in a statement. “We respectfully ask that you respect the privacy of Mr. Jones and his family during this difficult time.”

News4JAX reported that Jones has been shot twice in Jacksonville in the past three years. In a January post, Foolio wrote that there have been “more than five attempts on my life,” and in an April post he added, “The last few months/years of my life have been tragic… multiple attempts on my life, but I keep surviving.”

The rapper had 1 million followers on Instagram, where he described himself as an “independent artist.” He also had nearly a million monthly listeners on Spotify, where his most played track is “Voo Doo.” His latest album, which includes 14 tracks, resurrectionwas released on Apple Music on April 5th.