Sean Gathright’s Family Met With Death Threats After Launching GoFundMe for Legal Fees

The family of Sean Gathright, one of four men convicted for the murder of Florida rapper Julio Foolio, is speaking out for the first time since the 20-year-old was handed a life sentence. They’re asking for support and monetary donations in the form of a GoFundMe fundraiser. And in response, they’ve mostly received backlash and alleged death threats.

We previously told you about Gathright’s role in the 2024 murder of Foolio. Just 18 years old at the time, Gathright was convicted of playing a crucial role. He’s officially begun his life sentence inside a Florida prison, but his family is not giving up on him.

They launched a GoFundMe in Gathright’s name to assist with legal fees. According to Complex, the fundraiser has only raised $900 of a $24,000 goal.

In response to the fundraiser, folks online criticized Gathright and his family for trying to make financial gains from Julio Foolio’s killing.

“Life sentence for a killing and still asking for GoFundMe legal funds shows a shocking lack of accountability and remorse,” X user @GDA360 said on the app.

Another user, @thecryptofi, hit back, asking, “Go fund for me for what ????….n*gga thinks prison is the 8th continent.”

Gathright’s family responded to the criticism in their own statement, condemning the “harassment” and reports to the GoFundMe.

“We want to address recent reports being made against Sean’s GoFundMe. While we completely understand that not everyone will choose to support, going as far as reporting the fundraiser, sending threats, and harassing not only Sean but also his loved ones is truly mean-spirited and out of control,” the family said. Still, this hasn’t slowed down the ongoing backlash.

This week, Gathright spoke for the first time from behind the walls of a Florida prison. Before thanking the public for the love and support shown to him over the past weeks, the 20-year-old also explained his current situation in prison.

He told his supporters he’s been in solitary confinement as a “protocol,” but would be released soon to hopefully get in contact with his followers online. He shouted out his personal Instagram page, @theofficialyseang, where he promised to give updates on his condition and “communicate with the outside world.”

“I really appreciate all the messages and all the comments and the likes and the shares and the donations.” He continued, “It means more than y’all could understand. It truly means a lot in a difficult time.”

In addition to Gathright, three other Black men, Isaiah Chance, Davion Murphy, and Rashad Murphy, were all convicted of murder. Foolio was shot and killed back in June 2024, just days before his birthday. Prosecutors tied the planned ambush on Foolio to an ongoing gang war in Jacksonville.

A fifth defendant, Alicia Andrews, was convicted of manslaughter for her role in the rapper’s murder. She has not been sentenced.