Arrest Made at CAA Sundance Party Following Racially Charged Attack on Florida Congressman
Florida congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said that he was the victim of a racially motivated attack at a CAA Sundance Party during the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. Frost addressed the attack on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday. The incident took place at a CAA-hosted gathering in Park City.
Florida Congressman Attacked at CAA Sundance Party
Frost said on X (Twitter), “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.” He also added, “He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off. The individual was arrested, and I am okay.”
The 29-year-old Florida congressman, who became the first Afro-Cuban and member of Gen Z to be elected to Congress, gave thanks to venue security and Park City police for their response to the attack. In a statement obtained by The Guardian, the Park City police said the suspect, identified as Christian Young, “aggravated burglary and two counts of simple assault, with each charge subject to a sentencing enhancement”.
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred just after midnight at the High West Saloon, where a private event was underway. Police said that Young had previously been denied entry because he did not have an invitation, but later entered the venue without authorization. Once inside, investigators said, Young assaulted Frost and a woman attending the CAA Sundance Party event.
The attacker allegedly talked about how proud he was to be ‘white,’ and he allegedly punched Frost. The event was hosted by Creative Artists Agency, one of the major talent agencies that holds annual gatherings during the Sundance Film Festival. Such events typically draw actors, filmmakers, industry executives, and invited guests.
Investigation and Next Steps
Park City police said the investigation is ongoing. Young was taken into custody and booked into the Summit County Jail. Court records and further charging decisions were not immediately available. Frost has been met with support, especially from House minority leader Hakeem Jefferies. Frost thanked those who wished him well after the attack.
Festival organizers and CAA did not immediately issue detailed public statements to news organizations at the time of initial reporting. Local authorities noted that private, festival‑adjacent events are independently organized and that security protocols vary by host.
The identity of the woman at the party is not yet known at this time. Frost is an activist and an organizer who has run on equality, housing, affordability, climate change, healthcare, and more. A representative from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office has declined to comment further on the charges but confirmed that Young is still behind bars.
As the festival continues, organizers and local officials say they remain committed to maintaining a safe environment for attendees. Park City police have increased patrols in the area and are coordinating with private security teams at major venues. For now, police are focused on completing their investigation and preparing the case for prosecutors. Frost’s account and witness statements suggest the suspect made comments referencing immigration and race, but authorities have not publicly addressed the motive.
