Julio Foolio, born Charles Andrew Jones II, was a controversial American rapper from Jacksonville, Florida, whose life was tragically cut short at age 26. As reported by Fox 13 News, Foolio was fatally shot on June 23, 2024, in Tampa, Florida, in what authorities believe was a targeted attack stemming from an ongoing gang rivalry.
Julio Foolio, born Charles Andrew Jones II on June 21, 1998, grew up in the Moncrief neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida, an area known for its high crime rate and gang activity1. His early life was marked by tragedy when his father, Charles Andrew Jones, was murdered in a 2011 shooting in Jacksonville1. This loss significantly impacted Foolio's youth and would later influence his music.
Foolio's rap career began in his teens, with his first notable collaboration coming in 2017 on the song "Dirty Sticks" with fellow Jacksonville rapper Soulja K2. His early music was characterized by a raw, aggressive style that reflected his environment. Foolio's breakthrough came with his remix of Fantasia's "When I See You," which gained widespread attention for its controversial lyrics addressing rival gang members23. This track, along with others like "Voodoo" and "Bibby's Story," established Foolio as a prominent figure in Jacksonville's emerging drill rap scene, known for its gritty portrayal of street life and ongoing gang conflicts13.
Julio Foolio's career was marked by intense rivalries and controversies, most notably his long-standing feud with fellow Jacksonville rapper Yungeen Ace. This beef, deeply rooted in local gang conflicts between Foolio's KTA (Kill Them All) and Ace's ATK (Ace's Top Killers), played out publicly through diss tracks and social media exchanges12.
The rivalry escalated dramatically in 2021 when Yungeen Ace released "Who I Smoke," a viral diss track that mockingly referenced deceased associates of Foolio2. Foolio retaliated with "When I See You," which sampled Fantasia's hit song and included a music video featuring news coverage of a shooting that left Ace critically injured and killed his brother and two friends3. This back-and-forth not only fueled their personal animosity but also contributed to the broader violence plaguing Jacksonville's rap scene. Despite occasional hints at reconciliation, including a 2021 interview where Foolio mentioned being on cordial terms with Ace, the feud persisted until Foolio's untimely death in 202414.
On June 23, 2024, Julio Foolio's life was tragically cut short in a violent ambush at a Holiday Inn parking lot in Tampa, Florida. The incident occurred just two days after the rapper celebrated his 26th birthday12. According to police reports, three masked gunmen opened fire on two vehicles, killing Foolio and injuring three others3. The attack was allegedly orchestrated by rival gang members from Jacksonville, highlighting the deadly consequences of the long-standing feud between Foolio's 6-Block gang and other groups4.
Five suspects were arrested in connection with the murder: Alicia Andrews, Isaiah Chance Jr., Sean Gathright, Rashad Murphy, and Davion Murphy4. Investigators believe the group traveled from Jacksonville to Tampa specifically to target Foolio, using social media posts about his birthday celebration to track his location3. The shooting marked a grim culmination of years of gang-related violence that had plagued Foolio's career and ultimately led to his untimely death5.
