James Blanton, a 34-year-old Black man and former football player for Prairie View A&M University, was known for his generous spirit. His mother, Denise, described him as having a “humble and giving heart,” a man who made it a priority to volunteer. Together, they had a tradition of feeding homeless people during the holidays. He worked in the exotic rental car business in Houston, Texas.
In the early hours of December 10, 2022, Blanton was outside his townhome in the Sunnyside area
of Houston when he was killed. Just after 12:15 a.m., he heard a noise at his residence on Safeguard Street and went to investigate. He and his girlfriend were met by two armed, masked men who police believe were attempting a home invasion. Blanton confronted and fought with the intruders but was shot multiple times in front of his girlfriend. The suspects fled the scene on foot, possibly to a waiting getaway car. Blanton died at the scene from gunshot wounds to his head, torso, and extremities.
Houston police detectives quickly determined the shooting was part of a targeted robbery. Their investigation first led them to the alleged getaway driver. On December 14, 2022, police arrested Carl Michael McCloud, Jr., then 21, and charged him with capital murder. Investigators continued to follow leads and soon identified a second suspect involved in the shooting.
That suspect was identified as Derrick Wayne Castille. He was also charged with capital murder and was later arrested by authorities. The investigation did not end there, as police worked to identify a third person involved in the fatal home invasion.
Eventually, the third suspect was identified as Anthony Deshone Smith. While he was in federal custody on unrelated matters, Houston police charged Smith, then 25, with capital murder in the 178th Criminal District Court. As of May 2026, all three suspects—Carl Michael McCloud, Jr., Derrick Wayne Castille, and Anthony Deshone Smith—have been charged in connection with James Blanton's death.
