In an important development in the case of the Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio18-year-old Sean Gathright, the main suspect in the murder, has now been linked to an earlier assassination attempt on the rapper in October 2023.

According to News4Jax, investigators discovered bullet casings in Gathright’s possession that matched those from the October shooting in which Foolio was shot in the foot. Gathright was arrested during a traffic stop on June 23 as part of the ongoing investigation into Foolio’s tragic death. During the stop, police found a 9mm pistol, a rifle and nine empty bullet casings that they believe are connected to two previous shootings: a murder in May 2024 and the attack on Foolio in October 2023.

A subsequent search of Gathright’s home found a bullet trap, a device that prevents bullet casings from being left at crime scenes, linking him even more strongly to the crimes. Authorities believe Gathright was the shooter in Foolio’s murder, but he did not act alone.

Three other people – Isaiah Chance, his girlfriend Alicia Andrews and Rashad Murphy – have also been arrested in connection with the murder, while police are actively searching for a fifth suspect, Davion Murray. Investigators allege that all five suspects traveled from Jacksonville to Tampa and stalked Foolio as he celebrated his 26th birthday before carrying out the fatal attack.

Foolio was gunned down on June 23 while sitting in a car in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn. Two other passengers in the vehicle were injured but survived the attack.

There has long been tension between Julio Foolio and fellow rapper Yungeen Ace, leading to speculation about the motive behind the murder. However, police have confirmed that Yungeen Ace is not under active investigation in connection with Foolio’s death. The feud between the two rappers and their respective crews KTA and ATK dates back to 2017, when Foolio’s cousin was murdered, sparking a violent retaliation that continues to this day.

Before the shooting in October 2023, Foolio had already survived two other attempts on his life in 2020 and 2021.