Charles Jones, a Florida rapper known as Julio Foolio, was fatally shot dead in Tampa on Sunday, just two days after his 26th birthday celebration, according to his attorney, Lewis Fusco.
Jones had been staying at a Holiday Inn hotel in Tampa after being forced to leave an Airbnb where he was hosting a party, New York Post reported.
Prior to his death, the rapper shared an Instagram story showing him celebrating his birthday with a pool party alongside friends and fans at the Airbnb.
“Mr. Jones had been in Tampa to celebrate his birthday over the weekend,” Fusco said. “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.”
According to police, Jones and three other victims were in their vehicles in the parking lot when unidentified assailants opened fire. Authorities are currently reviewing surveillance footage from the hotel, but no suspects have been arrested as of Sunday afternoon.
In 2018, Jones’ cousin and three teenagers were killed in a gang-related shooting during a birthday party for Jones’ brother.
The rapper himself had previously survived an attempt on his life in 2021 when he was grazed by a bullet at his recording studio in Jacksonville. Following the incident, Jones taunted his shooters on Instagram, saying, “Y’all miss a whole 100 shots literally.”
Jones had been staying at a Holiday Inn hotel in Tampa after being forced to leave an Airbnb where he was hosting a party, New York Post reported.
Prior to his death, the rapper shared an Instagram story showing him celebrating his birthday with a pool party alongside friends and fans at the Airbnb.
“Mr. Jones had been in Tampa to celebrate his birthday over the weekend,” Fusco said. “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.”
According to police, Jones and three other victims were in their vehicles in the parking lot when unidentified assailants opened fire. Authorities are currently reviewing surveillance footage from the hotel, but no suspects have been arrested as of Sunday afternoon.
In 2018, Jones’ cousin and three teenagers were killed in a gang-related shooting during a birthday party for Jones’ brother.
The rapper himself had previously survived an attempt on his life in 2021 when he was grazed by a bullet at his recording studio in Jacksonville. Following the incident, Jones taunted his shooters on Instagram, saying, “Y’all miss a whole 100 shots literally.”