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Florida rapper Julio Foolio was shot dead in a Tampa hotel, his lawyer says

Florida rapper Julio Foolio was shot dead in a Tampa hotel, his lawyer says


CBS News Miami

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TAMPA, Florida. — Florida rapper Julio Foolio was shot and killed in the parking lot of a Tampa hotel early Sunday morning.

His attorney Lewis Fusco confirmed his death to CBS News affiliate WTSP-TV in Tampa.

At around 4:40 a.m., Tampa police officers were called to a shooting reported at the Holiday Inn Tampa North, where two cars were shot at and four people were struck by gunfire, Tampa police spokeswoman Jonee Lewis said at a news conference.

One of the victims is believed to be 26-year-old Charles Jones, but police said his identity has yet to be confirmed by the medical examiner. Jones is Foolio’s real name, according to WTSP.

Three other people were injured in the shooting.

Fusco told WTSP that Foolio was in Tampa celebrating his birthday at an Airbnb but was asked to leave because there were too many people at the property. He then went to the Holiday Inn, where he was allegedly ambushed, Fusco told WTSP.

Foolio, who has over 1 million followers on Instagram, shared and promoted on his page that he spent his birthday in Tampa.

Hotel guests were not evacuated, but police were on site to assist them if needed, Lewis said.

Police are urging the public to provide any videos or information that may assist in the investigation.

“If you saw or heard something, every little detail can help us figure out what happened this morning,” Lewis said.

Tampa Police can be reached at (813)231-6130.