A 25-year-old man, Trenton Abston, is facing serious charges after allegedly attempting to kidnap Memphis Mayor Paul Young. Authorities said Abston was caught with a Taser, gloves, rope, and duct tape—items found in his vehicle at the time of his arrest.
He was spotted in the East Memphis neighborhood where Mayor Young lives, prompting police to investigate his actions.
Suspect Allegedly Targets Mayor’s Home
According to jail records, Abston is currently being held in the Shelby County Jail with no bail or bond. A court hearing is scheduled for Friday.
Memphis police charged Abston with attempted kidnapping, stalking, and aggravated criminal trespassing. Officials believe Mayor Young was specifically targeted. “At the time of his arrest, officers recovered a taser, gloves, rope, and duct tape from his vehicle,” Memphis Police stated.
We’ve just learned that the individual responsible for Sunday night’s incident has been apprehended and charged by MPD.
On Sunday night, around 9:30 pm, a man jumped a wall leading into our subdivision. We now know that he walked straight to our home. pic.twitter.com/nCE9Euw2tQ
— Paul Young (@mayorpaulyoung) June 18, 2025
Security Footage Reveals Mayor Was Main Target
Initially, police thought Abston was moving door-to-door, but footage later showed him scaling a wall directly into the subdivision and heading straight for the mayor’s home. “We now know that he walked straight to our home, knocking on the door with gloves on, a full pocket, and a nervous demeanor,” Young said.
Authorities haven’t provided full details of what happened when Abston reached the door. Much of the encounter was caught on security cameras. The Memphis Police Department stated to assure residents that they are aware of the national rise in political violence. They are committed to ensuring the safety of public figures.
“We understand the concerns raised by this incident and want to reassure the public that the Memphis Police Department remains fully committed to the safety of all residents, including our city’s elected officials,” the department said.
This incident came just days after a separate, deadly political attack in Minnesota. A man pretending to be law enforcement fatally shot a Democratic state representative and her husband. He also injured another politician and his wife.
Mayor Young responded by urging more civility in public debate. “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,” he said. “Let’s raise our discourse, reduce the hate, and protect one another — no matter our beliefs. Let’s reclaim our strength as one community. Choose love.”