Three individuals have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder of Charles Jones, known by his street name 'Julio Foolio', with authorities actively seeking two more suspects. According to a news release from the Tampa Police Department, Alicia L. Andrews, Isaiah J. Chance, and Sean A. Gathright are now in custody, facing multiple charges related to the June 23, 2024, killing which is believed to stem from a longstanding gang feud.
The incident is said to have involved a meticulously planned assault against Jones, unfolding over multiple locations, with the suspects allegedly traveling from Jacksonville to Tampa to carry out the crime. In a statement by Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw, he emphasized, "The City of Tampa is not where you want to come to settle a dispute. You will be arrested, you will be charged, and you will be prosecuted." Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez vowed to "vigorously prosecute each of these defendants to ensure they are held accountable," as reported by the Tampa Police Department.
Rashad Murphy and Davion Murphy are the two suspects at large, as noted by the Tampa Police Department. The authorities have urged the public to come forward with any information that may help apprehend these individuals. The murder, occurring outside the Home 2 Suites, resulted in the tragic death of Jones and left three additional victims injured. Law enforcement's narrative details a premeditated act, with the accused having tracked and followed the victim before opening fire.
Law enforcement agencies have brought forth a series of charges against the apprehended suspects. Andrews and Chance, both 21, as well as 18-year-old Gathright, are facing charges including premeditated first-degree murder with a firearm, as per the Tampa police release. "These criminals decided to bring their fight to Hillsborough County. Let me be clear, the feud ends here," State Attorney Lopez declared, outlining the gravity of the crime and the commitment to halting such violence. The accused were taken into custody on Saturday, without incident, and are presently at Duval County Jail.
The murder is reportedly an escalation of a feud that spans a decade, involving Jacksonville's "6 Block" gang, to which the victim was affiliated, and the rival gangs “ATK” and “1200." The incident and the subsequent arrests underscore an ongoing battle for territory and influence among these factions. Sheriff TK Waters of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office stated, "There’s no place you’ll be able to hide if you commit a crime in Jacksonville, or any other city in the state of Florida," as mentioned in the police release. Emphasizing the resolve of law enforcement, Waters affirmed the concerted efforts to keep communities safe and bring criminals to justice.
