Memphis man charged with attempted kidnapping of city's mayor

"At the time of his arrest, officers recovered a taser, gloves, rope, and duct tape from his vehicle," the Memphis Police Department said.

By Natalia Mittelstadt

Published: June 20, 2025 2:53pm

A Memphis, Tenn., man has been charged with attempted kidnapping of the city's Democrat Mayor Paul Young.

Trenton Abston, 25, was charged after allegedly scaling a wall leading to the mayor's home Sunday night .

"The individual went directly to the mayor’s residence," the Memphis Police Department said Wednesday.

"At the time of his arrest, officers recovered a taser, gloves, rope, and duct tape from his vehicle," the department also said. "Thanks to the rapid response of our officers and the use of camera technology throughout the neighborhood, we were able to quickly identify, locate, and arrest the suspect."

Abston also faces charges of stalking and aggravated criminal trespass.

Young said the incident began to unfold at about 9:30 p.m.

"We now know that he walked straight to our home, knocking on the door with gloves on, a full pocket, and a nervous demeanor," he also said.

Referencing the shooting of two Minnesota legislators and their spouses last week, he continued, "In today’s climate, especially after the tragic events in Minnesota and the threats my wife and I often receive online, none of us can be too careful. The link between angry online rhetoric and real-life violence is becoming undeniable."