NC police make arrest in shooting death of former Clemson WR Diondre Overton
A month after former Clemson football player Diondre Overton was shot and killed in Greensboro, North Carolina, a man has been arrested and charged with murder.
The Guilford (N.C.) County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release late Tuesday that Jeremiah Diago Blanks, 20, has been arrested and charged with felony first-degree murder in the Sept. 7 shooting death of Overton in his hometown.
Detectives with the office’s Major Crimes Investigative Unit obtained a warrant for Blanks’ arrest before traveling to Michigan and making the arrest with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service, according to Guilford County Sheriff Danny H. Rogers.
Blanks is being held at the Oakland County Jail in Pontiac, Michigan, pending extradition to North Carolina, according to the news release.
The sheriff’s office noted that the investigation into Overton’s death remains ongoing.
Overton, 26, played for Clemson from 2016-19 and was part of the Tigers’ 2016 and 2018 national championship teams.
He had 52 career catches for 777 yards and seven touchdowns in 51 games (five starts) and also played professionally in the USFL.
He played for the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars in the 2022-23 seasons and was on the Memphis Showboats’ roster at the time of his death.
A native of Greensboro, Overton was a top 200 national recruit coming out of Page High School before he signed with Clemson. He graduated from the school with a sports communication degree in summer 2019.
More details on Diondre Overton death
Reports initially emerged of Overton’s death early the morning of Saturday, Sept. 7, and the Clemson football team confirmed his death in a statement that day before a home game against App State.
Rogers, the Guilford County sheriff, said in an initial news release that around 2:30 a.m. Sept. 7 his deputies responded to a call “regarding a loud party and noise disturbance” at a residential address in Greensboro.
“As they made their way to the scene, deputies received updated information indicating that a shooting had occurred,” Rogers said.
Upon arrival, deputies located the shooting victim and identified him as Overton.
“Despite immediate medical aid, Mr. Overton was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Rogers said.
Coach Dabo Swinney’s program honored Overton during its Sept. 7 home game against App State and invited his parents to the team’s next home game against N.C. State on Sept. 21. Swinney also attended and spoke at Overton’s funeral last month, as did a number of his former Clemson teammates.
Swinney described Overton’s death as “senseless.”
“He truly was just one of the sweetest spirits and kids that we’ve had come through here,” Swinney said Sept 7. “And again, truly a great teammate. My heart hurts, and my prayers are with his family.”
Sheriff’s office provides update
The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office held a brief news conference Wednesday morning in Greensboro to address the arrest with Overton’s parents in attendance.
“I hope to provide some closure and allow them to begin the healing process while continuing to seek justice for their son,” Rogers said of Overton’s family.
Sergeant Jason Wright from the office’s Major Crimes Investigative Unit said detectives obtained a warrant for Blanks’ arrest on Sunday, Oct. 6, traveled to Michigan on Monday, Oct. 7, and took Blanks into custody on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
The investigation indicates that Blanks’ city of residence was Detroit.
Wright said he couldn’t disclose any possible motive for the shooting since it’s an active investigation. Wright said at this point there is “no information to suggest” that Blanks and the victim, Overton, personally knew each other.
Wright also said the shooting occurred at a home in Greensboro (3205 Spring Mill Road) that was being used as an Airbnb rental. The person subleasing the house was renting it out as an Airbnb, he said, and the original owner of the house was not aware it was being used as an Airbnb.
The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office also encouraged people who may have seen the shooting to come forward and did not rule out more charges for Blanks or charges for other people in connection with Overton’s death.
“This event did occur at a party,” Wright said. “We believe there are several individuals who may have seen it happen. We encourage them to come forward.”
This story was originally published October 8, 2024 at 6:30 PM with the headline "NC police make arrest in shooting death of former Clemson WR Diondre Overton."
