Overview

• Police arrested Abston on June 18, and he is held without bail on charges of attempted kidnapping, stalking and aggravated criminal trespass; he is scheduled to appear in court Friday.
• Officers found a Taser, gloves, rope and duct tape in Abston’s vehicle, which they say suggested a plan to restrain the mayor.
• Surveillance footage shows Abston scaling a wall at Young’s gated community, walking directly to the mayor’s door and knocking before fleeing.
• Abston admitted he was angry with Mayor Young over crime in Memphis and wanted to confront him, highlighting links between heated online rhetoric and real-life threats.
• The incident came less than 48 hours after shootings of Minnesota legislators and their spouses, prompting the Memphis Police Department to pledge strengthened protections for elected officials.