James Blanton, 34, was killed outside his townhome in the Sunnyside area of Houston during the early hours of December 10, 2022. Blanton heard a noise at his Safeguard Street residence, went to investigate with his girlfriend, and encountered two armed, masked men who police believe were attempting a home invasion. He fought with the intruders and was shot multiple times in front of his girlfriend; he died at the scene from gunshot wounds to his head, torso, and extremities.

Blanton was a former Prairie View A&M University football player who worked in the exotic rental car business in Houston and was described by his mother Denise as generous and committed to volunteering, including a family tradition of feeding people experiencing homelessness during the holidays. Houston Police investigators characterized the shooting as a targeted robbery and traced the case to a suspected getaway driver, arresting Carl Michael McCloud, Jr. on December 14, 2022. Detectives later identified and charged two additional suspects, Derrick Wayne Castille and Anthony Deshone Smith; Smith was charged while in federal custody on unrelated matters.

If anyone knew James, saw activity near Safeguard Street on the night of December 9–10, 2022, or has information about the people involved, please come forward.