Share and Follow

A man found with a Taser, rope and duct tape who was seen in the neighborhood has been accused of stalking and attempting to kidnap the mayor of Memphis, Tennessee.

Trenton Abston, 25, is being held in the Shelby County Jail with no bail or bond listed and a court appearance scheduled for Friday, according to jail records.

Abston has been charged with attempted kidnapping, stalking and aggravated criminal trespassing, Memphis police said in a statement. Police said they believed he was targeting Mayor Paul Young.

“At the time of his arrest, officers recovered a taser, gloves, rope, and duct tape from his vehicle,” the police department said.

It wasn’t clear whether Abston has a lawyer. The public defender’s office for the region didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Police initially believed the suspect was going door to door in a subdivision that includes Young’s home in East Memphis on Sunday night.

Police and Young said security video shows a person scaling a wall to the subdivision and then walking directly to Young’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 in a statement.

Much of the incident was on security camera video, officials said, though police didn’t detail what happened after the intruder came to the door.

The police department tried to reassure residents this week that it is aware of high-profile political violence in the country and is prepared to fight it.

“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,” it said Wednesday.

Earlier in the week, Vance Boelter, 57, was charged with murder in a deadly rampage on elected officials that began in Minnesota’s Twin Cities region.

Authorities have accused him of impersonating law enforcement and fatally shooting a Democratic state representative and her husband and wounding another state legislator and his wife.

Young said in his statement that it’s time to redouble efforts to keep political discussion civil.

“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,” he said. “Let’s reclaim our strength as one community. Let’s choose love.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
North Carolina teen run over by a truck while sunbathing on Oak Island beach

Teen in North Carolina Accidentally Hit by Truck While Sunbathing on Oak Island Beach

The driver of a pickup truck allegedly ran over the legs of…
New person of interest emerges in documentary on decades-old disappearance of Iowa news anchor

New person of interest emerges in documentary on decades-old disappearance of Iowa news anchor

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Three decades after an…
Aaron Boone explains curious MLB All-Star Game choices that backfired

Aaron Boone Discusses Unconventional MLB All-Star Game Selections That Didn’t Pan Out

Aaron Boone was already a polarizing figure for Yankees fans. Now, he’s…
JSO: Man shot, killed by officers after attacking pregnant woman

JSO: Officers Fatally Shoot Man After Attack on Pregnant Woman

JSO Chief Alan Parker said officers arrived at a home on Jacksonville’s…
US expands deportations to Eswatini with five convicted criminals

US Broadens Deportations, Sending Five Convicted Offenders to Eswatini

The men sent to Eswatini are citizens of Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen…
Trump sparks market panic over Fed chair Powell's future

Trump’s Comments on Fed Chair Powell Cause Market Turmoil

President Trump caused turmoil in the stock market when he hinted at…
Tragic connection between Air India, MH370 and Germanwings jets

Heartbreaking Link Between Air India, MH370, and Germanwings Flights

Investigators looking into the Air India Flight 171 crash are focusing on…
Caitlin Clark has to be held back in heated moment with ref

Caitlin Clark Restrained During Tense Exchange with Referee

Caitlin Clark shook her head with her hands on her hips, disgusted…