Florida rapper Julio Foolio shot dead on his 26th birthday in Holiday Inn parking lot

Florida rapper Julio Foolio, whose real name is Charles Jones, was shot dead in a Holiday Inn parking lot on Sunday. According to reports, the incident happened while he was celebrating his 26th birthday. At a rented Airbnb, the rapper had planned to host a pool party, however, he was asked to leave "due to exceeding occupancy limits".

The Tampa Police Department was informed about a shooting at 11606 McKinley Drive via a 911 call at approximately 4:40 am EST. Four people were injured in the shooting and two vehicles had been shot at, according to a press release. While the other three are in stable condition, the rapper has been pronounced dead.

His lawyer Lewis Fusco shared a statement with First Coast News and confirmed the news of Foolio's untimely and shocking demise. "Mr. Jones had been in Tampa to celebrate his birthday over the weekend. Law enforcement reports indicate that he initially stayed at an Airbnb but was asked to leave due to exceeding occupancy limits. He subsequently relocated to the Holiday Inn, where he was involved in an incident in the hotel parking lot and reportedly ambushed,” Fusco said in the statement.

Later, in an Instagram post, Fusco shed light on how the controversial rapper was often misunderstood by his fans. “I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Foolio,” Fusco wrote. “While most people knew him as the controversial rapper and entertainer, I was fortunate enough to know Charles Jones, the man beyond the public persona.”

“He was a kid who grew up in challenging circumstances, determined to defy the odds by any means possible and succeed in all that he did. His journey was marked by resilience and a deep-seated desire to strive for greatness,” he added.

While concluding, Fusco said that he respected the rapper for his authenticity and considered him a friend.

Heartbroken fans have been offering their condolences online. "He was in the same car which he was shot back in 2023. Really tragic stuff going on, RIP," wrote a fan on X. Another comment read, "Unbelievable, RIP Julio. You'll be missed." A third fan wrote, "RIP man. Really sad today."