An evening at Sundance turned violent after a man was arrested for allegedly assaulting Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost during a private industry event connected to the Sundance Film Festival.
According to The Guardian, the incident occurred late Friday night, January 23, at a closed-door party hosted by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) at High West Saloon in Park City, Utah. According to police, the suspect, identified as Christian Young, forced his way into the invitation-only gathering after previously being denied entry.
Frost later confirmed the assault in a post on X, explaining that the attacker made racist statements before striking him.
“Last night, I was assaulted by a man at Sundance Festival who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face,” Frost wrote, adding that the man “was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off.”
Frost said he was not seriously injured and thanked security staff and local police for their quick response.
In a statement, the Park City Police Department said officers were dispatched just after midnight following reports of an assault inside the venue. Police allege that Young unlawfully entered the party and assaulted Frost as well as a female attendee.
He was taken into custody and booked on charges including aggravated burglary and two counts of simple assault, each with potential sentencing enhancements due to the racially motivated nature of the assault.
Variety, which first reported details of the incident at the CAA event, described the suspect as a “party crasher” involved in a racially charged confrontation that began in a bathroom area. Multiple witnesses reportedly saw Frost struck before security intervened.
Frost, 29, later reassured supporters that he was safe. “I’m OK,” he wrote in a follow-up message, thanking people for their concern. He also urged others to remain vigilant, saying, “Please stay safe and do not let these people silence you. Onwards.”
Authorities have not announced a court date for the suspect. The investigation remains ongoing.