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From Fox News: Just days before Mayor Paul Young of Memphis touted declining crime in the city, a man allegedly stalked and attempted to kidnap him.
Trenton Abston, 25, was arrested Wednesday and charged with attempted kidnapping, stalking and aggravated criminal trespass against Young, according to the Memphis Police Department (MPD).
Police said in an announcement on Facebook that public and private security camera footage showed Abston scaling the wall to the mayor’s neighborhood and walking to Young’s home. He was arrested with a TASER, gloves, rope and duct tape in his vehicle.
In the announcement on Facebook, Memphis Police wrote:
An update to the report shared earlier this week regarding an incident in Mayor Paul Young’s neighborhood, where an individual was seen carrying out suspicious activity in the neighborhood:
Trenton Abston, 25, has been apprehended and charged with Attempted Kidnapping, Stalking, and Aggravated Criminal Trespass. At the time of his arrest, officers recovered a taser, gloves, rope, and duct tape from his vehicle.
Upon further review of both public and private security camera footage, we have determined that the suspect did not approach multiple homes, as initially reported. Instead, after scaling a wall, the individual went directly to the Mayor’s residence.
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.
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. We take any potential threat seriously and will continue to act swiftly and thoroughly.
According to local reporter Jody Callahan, Abston remains in jail on a $50,000 bond.
Accused mayoral stalker Trenton Abston appeared on court Friday morning, where he told the judge he does not have a lawyer. His sister is also here and spoke to the judge. He remains jailed on $50,000 bond although a bond hearing is set for Monday.
— Jody Callahan (@JodyCallahanDM) June 20, 2025
Memphis Mayor Paul Young released the following statement in a series of posts on X Thursday:
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.
Accused mayoral stalker Trenton Abston appeared on court Friday morning, where he told the judge he does not have a lawyer. His sister is also here and spoke to the judge. He remains jailed on $50,000 bond although a bond hearing is set for Monday.
— Jody Callahan (@JodyCallahanDM) June 20, 2025
He knocked on the door with gloves on, a full pocket, and a nervous demeanor. 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.
What starts as reckless words online can all too quickly become something much more dangerous.
The link between angry online rhetoric and real-life violence is becoming undeniable.
What starts as reckless words online can all too quickly become something much more dangerous.
— Paul Young (@mayorpaulyoung) June 18, 2025
The angry rhetoric, the hateful speech, and the heated threats create a culture where violence feels like a next step instead of a red line. We cannot allow that line to be crossed. Political violence and intimidation –whether threatened or enacted– simply cannot become our norm.
Memphis, we have to change how we talk to and about each other. Disagreement must never lead to violence. That cannot be our norm. Let’s do better. Let’s raise our discourse, reduce the hate, and protect one another — no matter our beliefs.
Memphis, we have to change how we talk to and about each other. Disagreement must never lead to violence. That cannot be our norm. Let’s do better. Let’s raise our discourse, reduce the hate, and protect one another — no matter our beliefs.
— Paul Young (@mayorpaulyoung) June 18, 2025
Let’s reclaim our strength as one community. Let’s choose love.
Let’s reclaim our strength as one community. Let’s choose love.
— Paul Young (@mayorpaulyoung) June 18, 2025
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