Julio Foolio dead: Rapper shot at birthday party

Florida-based rapper Julio Foolio was shot and killed over the weekend in Tampa, Florida, after a pool party celebrating his birthday, police said. Foolio, whose real name was Charles Jones, turned 26 on Friday.

Tampa police said they received a 911 call about a shooting in a hotel parking lot around 4:40 a.m. Sunday morning.

The day before, Jones had shared videos on his Instagram story of himself hosting a party at an Airbnb, according to footage obtained by Fox 13. Attorney Lewis Fusco, who worked with Jones, told the New York Times that police later asked the “Voo Doo” rapper to leave because the gathering exceeded the permitted number of people.

Jones then moved into the Home2 Suites by Hilton in Tampa. When officers arrived, they found two vehicles riddled with bullet holes, according to a Tampa Police press release. Police identified Jones as the deceased victim.

Three other people were injured in the shooting. Officials could not confirm their identities, but they are in stable condition and are recovering in the hospital, police said.

“Police are investigating what led to the shooting and are working to identify those involved,” the press release said.

The Fusco Law Group did not immediately respond to The Times’ request for comment.

Fusco mourned Jones’ death in his Instagram story on Sunday.

“Most people knew him as a controversial rapper and entertainer, but I was fortunate to get to know Charles Jones, a man beyond the public persona,” Fusco wrote. “He was a child who grew up in difficult circumstances and was determined to prevail against all odds by any means necessary and succeed in everything he did. His path was marked by resilience and a deep-rooted desire to strive for greatness.”

Jones had amassed nearly a million monthly listeners on Spotify before his death. In addition to “Voo Doo,” he was known for the tracks “Play With Me” and “Dead Opps Pt. 2.”

When Jones released his mixtape “Resurrection” in April, he wrote that he had survived “multiple attempts” on his life. He said he had lost loved ones in “prison and cemeteries.”

“My tape … is a reflection of everything I’ve been through,” he said. “I hope you can all relate to that.”