Four men on trial for the ambush killing of rapper Julio Foolio have been found guilty by a jury in Tampa, Florida. After a monthlong trial, the defendants are now awaiting sentencing, where they face the death penalty. All defendants — Isaiah Chance, 23, Sean Gathright, 20, Rashad Murphy, 32, and Davion Murphy, 29 — were stunned to hear the verdict, and one (Gathright) even broke down in tears.
RELATED: Florida Rapper Julio Foolio Shot And Killed While Celebrating 26th Birthday In Tampa, Attorney Claims He Was ‘Ambushed’
On Friday (May 8), all men were convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the June 23, 2024 killing of Foolio, born Charles Jones. The rapper was shot to death at around 4:30 a.m. outside the Home2 Suites near the University of South Florida.
He and his entourage were trying to book a room at the hotel after a night of partying. Days before Foolio’s death, he shared several social media posts promoting his 26th birthday gathering. It featured a pool party and appearance at different venues in Tampa. Prosecutors argued that Foolio’s rivals in Jacksonville took notice of his posts and drove across the state (about 230 miles) to hunt him down.
RELATED: Tampa Police Make Three Arrests In Rapper Julio Foolio’s Shooting Death
Tampa Jury Convicts Four Men In Julio Foolio Murder, Now Facing Death Penalty
In addition to first-degree murder, Gathright and the Murphy cousins were also convicted of attempted second-degree murder. The second charge stemmed from them wounding several other people during the ambush shooting.
Additionally, after nearly 8 hours of deliberations, the jury found the state’s prosecutors proved Chance and the Murphys were criminal gang members and that their crimes were committed in furtherance of gang activity.
The four men are headed to the sentencing phase, which will begin on Monday (May 11). Prosecutors plan to request that the same panel of jurors recommend all four defendants be given the death penalty.
The case also saw Gathright’s girlfriend, Alicia Andrews, arrested and accused of trailing the rapper. In November 2025, she was convicted of manslaughter in a separate trial for Foolio’s murder.
RELATED: 4th Arrest Overnight: Julio Foolio Murder Suspect Captured In Jacksonville SWAT Standoff
#Socialites, be sure to check out the post below, then leave us your thoughts in a comment after!
