3 people arrested in connection with the murder of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio

Two men and a woman have been arrested on murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Charles Jones, a Jacksonville rapper known as “Julio Foolio,” outside a Tampa hotel.

Police are still searching for two other suspects in connection with the shooting, which came from an ambush outside the Home2 Suites on June 23 and occurred as Jones was celebrating his 26th birthday, police said.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw announced the arrests Monday at a press conference attended by Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters.

Bercaw said Jones told people on social media where he was that night.

“Surveillance video was critical in this investigation because the video showed suspects chasing Jones from location to location,” Bercaw said. “It shows the lengths these individuals were willing to go to in order to commit this murder.”

Arrested were Alicia Latoya Andrews and Isaiah Jermaine Chance, both 21, and Sean Andre Gathright, 18, according to Duval County Jail records. All three will be extradited to Tampa to face charges. Two other men – Rashad Murphy, 30, and Davion Murphy, 27 – are wanted, police said. They also face murder charges, Bercaw said.

Investigators from Tampa and Jacksonville are working together on the case, Waters said.

“With their arrests, we are showing Tampa, Jacksonville and the rest of this state that we will hold violent criminals accountable,” Waters said. “I want to speak directly to those who have chosen violence and those who support a culture that glorifies violence. Florida, Tampa. JSO/Jacksonville, Miami – wherever you are, we will not tolerate stupidity, shootings and unnecessary violence.”

Jones was staying at an Airbnb on June 22, but his group was asked to leave the building because there were too many people there, his attorney said. Jacksonville today News partner News4Jax. Jones posted that on Instagram and also indicated where it was, his lawyer said last month.

Bercaw said surveillance video showed investigators what happened next as Jones drove away toward the Home2 Suites.

A suspicious vehicle could be seen following Jones’ car and then parking across the street, Bercaw said, showing reporters the video. Shortly after 4:30 a.m., three people got out of the car and walked toward the hotel.

“They murder Jones with a pistol and two rifles. This barrage of fire also hit three other victims who miraculously survived this incident,” Bercaw said. “You can see the shooters getting into position for their planned murder. They are now shooting at Charles, and you can see he is the passenger in the car that is moving and trying to flee.”

Waters and the Tampa police chief confirmed that those involved in the shooting have ties to gangs in Jacksonville. They worked together to target Jones as part of an ongoing feud with another gang the rapper was associated with, Bercaw said.

A video from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office shows Gathright being arrested outside a mall while SWAT officers surround a house where Chance and Andrews are staying. A SWAT officer can be heard over a loudspeaker telling Chance that they have a warrant for his arrest and “we’re not going anywhere.”

“Hands up. Hands up!” they shout to Chance as he walks out the front door in the pouring rain.

The video also shows Andrews being led into the sheriff’s office in handcuffs.

Andrews and Chance were also charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree premeditated murder. Gathright also faces attempted premeditated murder and tampering with evidence, police said.

Jones had survived two other shootings in Jacksonville in the past three years.

Anyone with information regarding this ongoing investigation is asked to call Tampa Police at (813) 231-6130 or contact Crimestoppers of Tampa Bay at 800-873-8477 (TIPS).