Excessive heat watch in effect through Sunday

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

A man has been charged with an attempted kidnapping of the mayor of Memphis after he went to the mayor's house in a gated community and was later arrested with a Taser, gloves, rope and duct tape in his vehicle, according to police.

Memphis police on Wednesday announced that Trenton Abston, 25, is facing charges of attempted kidnapping, stalking and aggravated criminal trespass. Mayor Paul Young, a Black Democrat, was at home with his wife and children when Abston knocked on the door Sunday night, according to an arrest affidavit. Young said could see from his doorbell camera that the man was wearing gloves and had a lumpy bulge in his hoodie pocket.

When no one answered, the man fled, but his face was captured on camera, the affidavit says.

The attempt happened just one day after the 

killing of Minnesota House DFL leader Melissa Hortman

Online court records reviewed Friday do not show if he has hired a lawyer. Abston, who is Black, is scheduled to appear in court Monday to tell a judge if he has been able to hire an attorney.

Abston told police investigators that he waited until Sunday evening to approach Young at his home about crime in the city, saying he was angry at the mayor and armed with a Taser when he went to the home, the affidavit says.

Police found in their investigation that Abston's vehicle was seen on video footage multiple times in the immediate area of Young's home between May and June, the affidavit says. The subdivision has a large exterior wall, a gate, a guard house, security and video surveillance, the affidavit says.

Security footage shows that Abston scaled a wall and went directly to Young's residence, authorities said. On Tuesday, police used law enforcement databases to identify Abston as a person of interest in the case. They confirmed his identity by showing his work manager a photo from the night of the incident, and then detained Abston at his workplace on Wednesday, the affidavit says.

“Abston took substantial steps toward the commission of a kidnapping,” the affidavit said.

Young said the man jumped a wall leading into the subdivision where his family lives. He said the man “walked straight to our home, knocking on the door with gloves on, a full pocket, and a nervous demeanor.”

Young challenged people in his city to “change how we talk to and about each other,” saying, “disagreement must never lead to violence.”

“The link between angry online rhetoric and real-life violence is becoming undeniable,” Young wrote on social media on Wednesday.

Crime, Law and Justice

Homepage

The Associated Press

Author

Police say a man has been charged with attempted kidnapping of the mayor of Memphis, Tenn. The incident happened just one day after the killing of Minnesota House DFL leader Melissa Hortman.

Man charged in attempted kidnapping of mayor, Memphis police say

Go Deeper.

Like this?