Crime & Public Safety
Crime & Public Safety

Blood drive to honor business owner allegedly killed by son

Business owner Mike Blanton was allegedly shot and killed by his son. (Credit: Athens Banner-Herald)
Business owner Mike Blanton was allegedly shot and killed by his son. (Credit: Athens Banner-Herald)
By Raisa Habersham
March 27, 2017

A North Georgia business owner will be honored Monday at a blood drive in Athens, just days after he died from gunshot wounds.

Mike Blanton, owner of Dalton Carpet One Floor and Home, died after his son David Michael Blanton allegedly shot him multiple times Thursday, according to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office.

The elder Blanton died of complications from his wounds about 6:30 a.m Saturday.

The blood drive will be held from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 3690 Atlanta Highway, according to the company’s Facebook page.

RELATED: North Georgia businessman shot; son arrested

Dalton Carpet One Floor and Home has stores in Athens, Eatonton and Gainesville, according to its website.

The Georgia State Patrol arrested Blanton’s 31-year-old son during a traffic stop Thursday, the day of the shooting. He faces murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery and battery/family violence charges.

Authorities have not said what led to the shooting or where the business owner was shot.

Blanton's funeral will be Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Athens First Baptist Church.

In other news:

The truck crashed off I-575 during the morning rush hour killing a man in his 30's.

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About the Author

Raisa Habersham is the Intown Atlanta hyperlocal reporter for The Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

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