Attempted Kidnapping of Memphis Mayor Sparks Security Concerns Amid Crime Decline Claims

Suspect caught with rope, taser, and duct tape just one day after mayor pushed back on national safety criticism

Just one day after publicly defending Memphis against national criticism over its crime reputation, Mayor Paul Young became the alleged target of a disturbing attempted kidnapping plot.

According to the Memphis Police Department (MPD), 25-year-old Trenton Abston was arrested Wednesday on multiple felony charges including attempted kidnapping, stalking, and aggravated criminal trespass after allegedly targeting the mayor at his home. The suspect was found with a taser, gloves, rope, and duct tape in his vehicle, authorities said.

Surveillance footage captured Abston scaling the wall of the mayor’s gated neighborhood before approaching Young’s residence. A swift police response, aided by private and public security cameras, led to his apprehension.

“The Memphis Police Department remains fully committed to the safety of all residents, including our city’s elected officials,” the department said in a public statement. “We take any potential threat seriously and will continue to act swiftly and thoroughly.”

Tensions Rise as Mayor Defends City’s Reputation

The incident comes at a tense moment for Mayor Young, who has been actively pushing back against what he sees as unfair portrayals of Memphis in the media. On Tuesday, just 24 hours before the arrest, Young took to social media to counter comments made by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who claimed NBA players avoid Memphis due to safety concerns.

“The people in Memphis, it’s a great sports town — great fans, great people,” Smith said on First Take, “but there’s an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel like it’s the safest environment.”

He continued: “Local authorities in Memphis need to clean some of that stuff up because it’s dissuasive to NBA players. They have talked about it. I know. They’ve told me.”

The remarks sparked immediate backlash from local leaders and athletes, including Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, who mocked Smith’s anonymous sources in a fiery social media post.

Young also fired back on X (formerly Twitter): “Stephen called us a great sports town — facts. Best fans in sports? True. People of Memphis? Unmatched. But what he is missing is that crime is down significantly in 2024 and 2025. We’re not just talking change, we’re delivering it. Memphis is rising.”

Suspect Still in Custody

As of Friday, Abston remains in custody at the Shelby County Jail. His bond has not yet been set, and it remains unclear whether he has retained legal representation. Attempts to reach the county public defender’s office were unsuccessful.

No injuries were reported in the incident, and Mayor Young has not released a formal statement since the arrest. Security protocols around city officials are reportedly being reviewed.

The arrest adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing public debate around crime and perception in Memphis. While Young has data suggesting crime is trending downward, incidents like this serve as stark reminders of the challenges that remain — especially when elected leaders themselves become targets.