HOUSTON, TX – Charges have been filed against a third suspect in the fatal shooting of 34-year-old James Blanton at a home in the 8400 block of Safeguard Street.

The third suspect, Anthony Deshone Smith, 25, is charged with capital murder in the 178th Criminal District Court. He is currently in federal custody and is expected to be extradited to Harris County upon his release.

Two other suspects, Derrick Wayne Castille, 28, and Carl Michael McCloud Jr., 24, were previously charged with capital murder in the 180th and 177th Criminal District Courts, respectively.

According to the Houston Police Department Homicide Division, Blanton was in the driveway of his residence when he interrupted an apparent home invasion involving two masked, armed suspects attempting to enter the home. Blanton confronted and fought with the suspects before he was shot. The suspects fled on foot and may have entered a waiting vehicle.

Investigators identified McCloud as the driver of the vehicle, and he was taken into custody and charged in December 2022. Castille was later identified, charged, and arrested. Smith was identified as a third suspect and charged on April 28, 2026.