Latest news with #TrentonAbston
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Anti-crime crusader who knocked on mayor's door with horrific props is arrested for attempted kidnapping
A Memphis man has been arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping after approaching the home of Mayor Paul Young armed with a Taser, rope, duct tape and gloves. Trenton Abston, 25, was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged with attempted kidnapping, stalking and aggravated criminal trespass following the incident at Mayor Young's residence. According to investigators, Abston scaled a 10-foot wall in the mayor's gated neighborhood late Sunday evening and knocked on the front door while visibly carrying a concealed object in his hoodie pocket. Young, who was inside with his wife and children, did not answer the door. 'Paul Young reported that he did not know the male and his presence at his door at a late hour wearing a hoodie and gloves put him, his wife and children in fear for their safety,' a criminal complaint filed Wednesday stated. Public and private security cameras captured clear footage of the suspect's face, which helped police 'identify, locate and arrest the suspect,' the Memphis Police Department wrote in a statement posted on Facebook. On Tuesday, police identified Abston as a person of interest. His work manager later confirmed his identity in surveillance footage from Sunday night. After his arrest, Abston consented to a search of his vehicle, where the items in question were recovered, The New York Times reported. Police said Abston also knocked on the doors of several other homes that night, raising concern throughout the neighborhood. According to the criminal complaint, Abston told investigators he intended to confront Mayor Young 'about crime in the city of Memphis.' He also said he had researched Young's address and had driven past the residence several times to confirm it. 'Abston took substantial steps toward the commission of a kidnapping,' the complaint concluded. The Memphis Police Department described the incident as 'an escalating threat to a public official' and underscored the seriousness of the charges. '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's statement said. 'We take any potential threat seriously and will continue to act swiftly and thoroughly.' Abston is scheduled for a bail hearing on June 23, according to the Commercial Appeal. Mayor Young, who was elected in 2023 and is serving his first term, has been outspoken about addressing violent crime in the city. In a statement, he voiced concern over the increasingly dangerous overlap between online rhetoric and real-world violence, referencing the recent assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband. '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,' Young wrote on Facebook. 'The link between angry online rhetoric and real-life violence is becoming undeniable.' He voiced concern over the increasingly dangerous overlap between online rhetoric and real-world violence, referencing the recent assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband He also urged Memphians to reject political extremism and embrace respectful civic dialogue. 'What starts as reckless words online can all too quickly become something much more dangerous,' he continued. '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.'
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man with Taser and rope charged in attempted kidnapping of mayor, Memphis police say
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — 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 a prominent Minnesota Democratic lawmaker. The suspect charged is accused of impersonating a police officer and gunning down former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home outside Minneapolis. 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.' '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," Young wrote on social media on Wednesday. "The link between angry online rhetoric and real-life violence is becoming undeniable.'
Al Arabiya
20-06-2025
- Al Arabiya
Man With Taser and Rope Charged in Attempted Kidnapping of Mayor, Memphis Police Say
A man has been charged with the attempted kidnapping of the mayor of Memphis after he went to the mayor's house in a gated community and was later arrested with 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 he 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 a prominent Minnesota Democratic lawmaker. The suspect charged is accused of impersonating a police officer and gunning down former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home outside Minneapolis. 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. '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,' Young wrote on social media on Wednesday. 'The link between angry online rhetoric and real-life violence is becoming undeniable.'
Toronto Star
20-06-2025
- Toronto Star
Man with Taser and rope charged in attempted kidnapping of mayor, Memphis police say
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — 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.
Washington Post
20-06-2025
- Washington Post
Man with Taser and rope charged in attempted kidnapping of mayor, Memphis police say
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — 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.
