A man has been charged with attempted kidnapping after allegedly trying to abduct Memphis Mayor Paul Young. The suspect, 25-year-old Trenton Abston, was seen on surveillance footage climbing a wall in the mayor's neighborhood and approaching his home late Sunday (June 15), according to police.
When Abston was arrested, authorities found a Taser, gloves, rope, and duct tape in his vehicle. The arrest followed a review of security camera footage from the area near Mayor Young's home. Mayor Young reported seeing an unknown man wearing a hoodie and gloves at his door through his Ring doorbell video. Fearing for his safety, he did not answer the door.
Abston reportedly admitted to looking up the mayor's address, stating he wanted to confront him about crime in Memphis. He faces charges of attempted kidnapping, stalking, and aggravated criminal trespass.
The incident occurred less than 48 hours after a separate shooting in Minnesota, where a gunman shot two state lawmakers and their spouses. Mayor Young linked the attempted kidnapping to "angry online rhetoric" and emphasized the growing connection between online threats and real-life violence. He urged for a more respectful discourse and called for unity in the community.
Abston is currently held at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office jail and is set to appear in court on Friday (June 20).