Rapper Julio Foolio, whose real name is Charles Jones, posted a grateful message on social media just hours before he was shot dead at his 26th birthday party.
He posted, “God thank you for allowing me to see another year.” The rising star was celebrating with friends at an Airbnb in Tampa, Florida, and later moved to a Holiday Inn, where he was ambushed and killed in the parking lot, according to Daily Mail.
Foolio shared photos and videos of his pool party with his one million Instagram followers on June 22. Despite the police shutting down the initial celebration, the party moved to another location. The day before his death, Foolio also posted a message on X saying: “God thank you for allowing me to see another Year & To celebrate another birthday. Appreciate all the birthday wishes so far.”
In a video posted on his social media, the rapper gave his followers a tour of the Airbnb he was staying in and its pool. He captioned the post: “We jus[t]got to here for my pool party Tampa Florida if you already got the addy pull up at 6-6:30.”
Foolio’s death was confirmed by his attorney, Lewis Fusco. Tampa Police said they responded to a 911 call regarding a shooting at 11606 McKinley Drive at approximately 4.40 am. They found one person dead and three others injured in the Holiday Inn parking lot.
Tampa Police Public Information Officer Jonee’ Lewis wrote in a press release: “The victim in this morning’s shooting is believed to be Charles Jones. Positive identification is pending confirmation from the Medical Examiner’s Office.”
The popular Jacksonville rapper has been the target of numerous shootings and faced an ambush-style attack just eight months ago in October 2023. He was also injured in a shooting on November 8, 2021.
