The gripping saga surrounding the ambush of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio in Tampa reached its conclusion as the final defendant was handed her sentence. Alicia Andrews, aged 23, has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars for her involvement in the notorious attack.
The courtroom drama unfolded with Andrews being convicted of a reduced charge of manslaughter on October 31. Initially facing charges of first-degree murder, Andrews was ultimately acquitted of conspiracy to commit murder. Throughout her trial, she maintained that she was coerced by her boyfriend, Isaiah Jermaine Chance, into accompanying him to the scene, claiming she was unaware of any plans for violence.
During her testimony, Andrews portrayed herself as an unwitting participant, asserting that she believed they were simply going out for food and that she remained in the car, oblivious to the unfolding events.
However, the prosecution painted a different picture, arguing that Andrews played a crucial role as a lookout. They alleged that she aided the group in tracking down Foolio, whose legal name is Charles Andrew Jones II, during his 26th birthday celebration. The attack culminated in Foolio being fatally shot outside a hotel near the University of South Florida, with three others in his party sustaining injuries.
The sentencing hearing, held on May 22, featured emotional testimony from Foolio’s mother, Sandrikas Mays, as the court grappled with the tragic consequences of that fateful night.
At Friday’s sentencing hearing, May 22, the judge heard from Foolio’s mother, Sandrikas Mays.
“My son was hunted, followed and ultimately murdered in what authorities described as a coordinated plot involving multiple individuals,” she said, according to Court TV. “It is extremely painful to hear Alicia Andrews portray herself as someone who didn’t know what was going on. They could have turned around, but they still carried on the plan to hunt my son down like a deer in the woods. … My son’s life mattered. He was not disposable.”
Foolio was a popular, controversial rapper affiliated with the 6 Block gang and also linked with KTA. He often rapped about being shot or friends who were murdered and fallen rivals. The defendants were with ATK and 1200.
Their ongoing feud climaxed when the group tracked his social media posts about where and when he would be performing and celebrating that weekend, authorities said. They followed him to his hotel where he and his group were met with gunfire.
Gathright and the Murphys were deemed the shooters. Court records and security and dashcam videos at the scene indicate Chance and Andrews were serving as lookouts. Cellphone and license plate reader evidence also documented the group’s communications and whereabouts.
Editor’s note: This story was first published by our news partners, The Florida Times-Union.
