Rapper Julio Foolio Dead at 26 After Shooting at His Birthday Celebration

The music world has lost a rising star.

Two days after turning 26, rapper Julio Foolio—born Charles Jones—was fatally shot on June 23 in Tampa, Fla., while celebrating his birthday, his lawyer told NBC News.

Tampa police told E! News they were called at 4:40 a.m. to a parking lot where two cars had been shot at. One person was pronounced dead at the scene while three others with injuries were taken to a hospital.

"Their condition is listed as stable at this time," police said in a statement. "Police are investigating what led up to the shooting."

Authorities added that the deceased was believed to be Foolio, pending confirmation from the Medical Examiner's Office.

At the time, Foolio had been ringing in his birthday, according to his since-expired Instagram Story viewed by NBC News. 

In a June 14 post, he had advertised to his 1 million followers a June 21 pool party at an Airbnb, saying they could DM him for the address, and noting he'd be celebrating again on June 22 at the Teasers Gentlemen's Club. 

However, the party did not last long. According to the "Ion Need Love" singer, police "shut us down and kicked us out" of the Airbnb, per NBC News.

Two months before his death, Foolio shared on social media that he had feared for his life.

"THESE LAST COUPLE MONTHS/YEARS OF MY LIFE BEEN TRAGIC," he wrote on Instagram April 4. "GOD BEEN TRYNNA SEND ME A MESSAGE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS ON MY LIFE I KEEP SURVIVING..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."

 

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