TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida rapper Julio Foolio was killed early Sunday morning in a taking pictures at a Tampa Vacation Inn, in line with quite a few sources.
Tampa police mentioned the taking pictures happened at about 4:40 a.m. within the car parking zone of the Vacation Inn on the intersection of Fowler Avenue and McKinley Drive.
Crews with NewsNation affiliate WFLA discovered bullet holes and a window boarded up at Home2 Suites by Hilton subsequent to the Vacation Inn. Witnesses mentioned the taking pictures began there.
“What we’ve discovered, and that is early within the investigation, two automobiles had been shot at,” mentioned Joneé Lewis, public info officer for the Tampa Police Division.
Lewis mentioned one particular person was killed on the scene whereas three different gunshot victims had been taken to native hospitals. The deceased particular person was believed to be a person named Charles Jones, 26, however the health worker has but to launch a optimistic identification, police mentioned.
Investigators mentioned they consider the victims had been on the lodge attempting to get a room on the time of the taking pictures.
“It looks like they may survive their accidents,” she mentioned.
Lewis mentioned officers are trying by way of surveillance video to study extra in regards to the incident. They’re additionally serving to information lodge visitors across the scene.
“I solely heard one (gunshot),” lodge visitor Jeremiah Claypool mentioned. “It woke me up, however apparently there have been greater than that.”
Right now, no arrests have been made. Officers are in search of further video to determine any potential suspects.
Charles Jones is the authorized identify of Julio Foolio. Whereas police haven’t explicitly confirmed the connection, the 26-year-old rapper’s girlfriend, Blanco Mani, posted the information of his dying on Instagram, which is now non-public. She mentioned he died after celebrating his birthday in Tampa, posting a photograph of him from that night time.
The rapper’s Instagram story confirmed that he was celebrating his birthday with a pool social gathering at a Tampa Airbnb earlier than police made him relocate.
A part of an announcement launched Sunday night from Jones’ lawyer learn:
It’s with deep unhappiness that we verify Mr. Jones handed away early this morning.
Mr. Jones had been in Tampa to have fun his birthday over the weekend. Legislation enforcement reviews point out that he initially stayed at an Airbnb however was requested to depart on account of exceeding occupancy limits. He subsequently relocated to the Vacation Inn, the place he was concerned in an incident within the lodge car parking zone and reportedly ambushed.
News4Jax additionally confirmed Jones’ dying with info from his legal professional, Lewis Fusco. WFLA has additionally referred to as the Fusco Legislation Group however didn’t get a response as of this report.
Earlier information reviews say Jones was injured in shootings in 2020 and 2023.
When you’ve got info associated to the taking pictures, name Tampa police at 813-231-6130.