Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio hit by gunfire in Riverside shootout

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Controversial Jacksonville rap artist, Julio Foolio, was listed as the victim of a shootout in Riverside early Monday morning.

Ernest Street was sprayed in gunfire. A trail of bullet holes now mark where the shootout took place.

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”We heard a noise as if someone was dumping recycled tin cans into the trash can,” one neighbor said.

A bullet went through the wall of his home and ricocheted off the ceiling. Fortunately, he wasn’t hit.

”Having bullets flying around your neighborhood is not something you want,” he told Action News Jax’s Robert Grant.

He asked to remain anonymous for safety concerns.

Police responded to the shootout just after midnight Monday morning. Police responded to the intersection of Ernest and Goodwin Street after multiple shots were fired.

The victim is listed as Charles Jones — more popularly known as Julio Foolio — the Jacksonville rapper with a growing fanbase. He now has nearly a million followers on Instagram.

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According to the report, Foolio steeped out to his SUV when he heard multiple shots. He stated that he grabbed his two handguns and returned fire.

Three other witnesses “heard multiple gun shots while they were finishing recording.” They came out with guns in hand, but never fired.

Neighbors told Action News Jax that there was a recording studio in the home on Ernest Street. According to the property appraiser’s office, it was just sold to a new owner in October. Neighbors said it was rented out.

Police said they observed four handguns owned by Foolio and the three other witnesses. The officer also found 20 shell casings, and an AR-15 magazine in the street.

Foolio posted about the shootout on Instagram Live shortly after the shooting.

”I shot back in self defense. You all are dumb,” he said. “Don’t you think if I did something illegal, the police would put me in jail. The police would put me in the back of the car.”

According to the report, the potential charges are attempted murder and criminal mischief. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has no suspect information.

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