‘Gone too soon’: Tributes pour in as rapper Julio Foolio shot dead at 26 in birthday 'ambush’ in Tampa

TAMPA, FLORIDA: Florida rapper Julio Foolio reportedly died on the morning of Sunday, June 23, in Tampa.

The rapper's attorney Lewis Fusco reported that Foolio was celebrating his 26th birthday when the tragedy struck, according to Daily Mail.

Julio Foolio expressed his gratitude for another year before his death

It was reported that the rapper, whose real name was Charles Jones, first had a birthday party at an Airbnb with his friends before he shifted to a Holiday Inn, where he was killed in the parking lot.

Hours before he lost his life, the musician, who boosts one million followers on Instagram, shared on X, “God thank you for allowing me to see another Year & To celebrate another birthday 🥳🤞✊💕 appreciate all the birthday wishes so far 🤝.”

Tampa Police reportedly reached 11606 McKinley Drive following the report of the shooting at around 4:40 am.

Police ask for people’s help in identifying Julio Foolio's killer

The police said in a statement, “One person was pronounced deceased, and three other victims are being treated at the hospital.”

“The victim is believed to be Charles Jones (DOB: 6-21-1998). Positive identification is pending confirmation from the Medical Examiner's Office,” they noted.

Asking for information about the tragic incident, the police added, “Anyone with information related to this shooting incident is asked to contact Tampa PD by calling 813-231-6130 or share a tip via Tip411, which is accessible through the TampaPD app.”

Rapper Julio Foolio was also attacked previously

Rapper Julio Foolio's tragic death came after he was attacked earlier in April.

The rapper shared on Instagram, “THESE LAST COUPLE MONTHS/YEARS OF MY LIFE BEEN TRAGIC 💔GOD BEEN TRYNNA SEND ME A MESSAGE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS ON MY LIFE I KEEP SURVIVING.”

He continued, “I KEEP LOSING MY BRUDDAS TO JAIL AND GRAVEYARDS BUT I KNOW THE MOST HIGH DOING EVERYTHING FOR A REASON HE LET ME WALK AGAIN FOR A REASON,” before adding, “MY TAPE THAT DROP TONIGHT AT 12 IS A REFLECTION OF EVERYTHING I BEEN THREW💔🤝 I HOPE YALL CAN RELATE.”

Tributes pour in as rapper Julio Foolio dies at 26 

Meanwhile, people have remembered the rapper online as an Instagram user commented below one of his posts, “It's so crazy how u view people's stories they posted within the past 24 hours and then realize u will never see them post again… rip 😢.”

Another wrote, “RIP lil homie. Gone too soon.”

“May you rest in peace. rest easy,” an individual on X tweeted.

Another shared, “Sad world we live in. See how quick someone life can get taken.”

One individual wrote, “I’m damn near tearing up  loved your music REST IN POWER FOOLIO.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.