Jacksonville,Florida rapper Julio Foolio tragically met his end in the early hours of Sunday morning, shot in a Tampa hotel parking lot.
The incident, which occurred around 4:40 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Tampa North, involved gunfire that struck four individuals across two vehicles, according to Tampa Police spokesperson Jonee Lewis.
Confirmation of Foolio’s death came from his lawyer, Lewis Fusco, speaking to CBS News affiliate WTSP-TV in Tampa.
The rapper, known legally as Charles Jones, had been in Tampa to celebrate his birthday after initially planning festivities at an Airbnb. Fusco reported that Foolio relocated to the Holiday Inn following a request to vacate the Airbnb due to overcrowding.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting suggest Foolio was ambushed at the hotel, marking a tragic end to what should have been a celebratory occasion. With over 1 million Instagram followers, Foolio had shared his plans for the birthday festivities in Tampa on social media.
While the hotel guests were not evacuated, Tampa police remained on-site to assist as needed. They are actively seeking information and footage from witnesses to aid in their investigation. Lewis urged the public to come forward with any details, emphasizing the importance of even the smallest piece of information in understanding the events of that morning.
For anyone with relevant information, the Tampa Police Department can be contacted at (813) 231-6130.