Julio Foolio, an up-and-coming Florida rapper was shot dead in Tampa while celebrating his 26th birthday.
The rising star, whose real name was Charles Jones, had amassed one million followers on Instagram.
His attorney, Lewis Fusco, confirmed his death, per the Daily Mail.
Foolio celebrated his 26th birthday at an Airbnb with friends before checking into a Holiday Inn, where he was 'ambushed' in the parking lot.
Tampa Police responded to a 911 call about a shooting at 11606 McKinley Drive at around 4:40AM.
One person was reportedly killed and three others injured in the incident at the Holiday Inn parking lot.
"The victim in this morning's shooting is believed to be Charles Jones," Tampa Police Public Information Officer Jonee' Lewis stated in a press release. "Positive identification is pending confirmation from the Medical Examiner's Office."
Authorities had forced him to relocate after he and his guests exceeded occupancy limits at an Airbnb property.
The rapper had been documenting the celebrations on his Instagram account, noting that police had "shut us down."
“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.”
Foolio had nearly a million monthly listeners on Spotify, with his top-played track being 'Voo Doo'.
As recently as April, Foolio had written on Instagram about "multiple attempts on my life," describing recent months as "tragic."
Officials are reviewing surveillance footage from the hotel, with no suspects arrested as of Sunday afternoon.
Jones was a known member of the Jacksonville gang KTA, which has been in a longstanding feud with rival gangs, according to First Coast News.
In 2018, Jones’ cousin and three teenagers were killed in a gang-related shooting during a birthday party for Jones’ brother, authorities said.
In 2021, Jones survived an attempt on his life when he was grazed by a bullet at his recording studio in Jacksonville. Following the incident, the rapper taunted his shooters on Instagram, saying: “Y’all miss a whole 100 shots literally.”
One of Foolio's last posts on X read: "God thank you for allowing me to see another Year & To celebrate another birthday."
Fans have flooded the comments of the rapper's recent posts on his social media accounts, with one person writing: "RIP lil homie. Gone too soon."
A second person said: "Rest in peace. This is so unfortunate this happened."
A second person added: "RIP young man. Please my people let’s stop the senseless killings!!"
Our thoughts are with Foolio's fans and loved ones at this time.
