Man Arrested After Punching U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost at Sundance Party
Congressman Maxwell Frost says he was punched and heard racist threats at a private Sundance event; suspect Christian Joel Young held without bail, court records show.
Overview
Park City police arrested Christian Joel Young, 28, for aggravated burglary, assaulting an elected official and assault after he allegedly punched U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost at a private CAA party at High West Saloon on Jan. 24, 2025, according to court records.
Frost, the first Gen Z member of Congress, wrote on X that the assailant told him "Trump was going to deport me" before punching him and was heard screaming racist remarks as he fled, an account corroborated by unnamed witnesses and the police affidavit.
County Judge Richard Mrazik ordered Young held without bail on Jan. 24, 2025, saying Young would be a "substantial danger" or likely to flee if released, and court records show Young has a prior misdemeanor conviction.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote on X that he was "horrified" by the attack and urged that "the perpetrator must be aggressively prosecuted," while Sundance officials and CAA condemned the incident in statements, according to their releases.
Park City police said both assault charges will be screened for a hate crime enhancement and investigators encouraged people with information to contact the department as the case proceeds toward formal charging and a preliminary hearing.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the incident in straightforward, fact-based terms, relying on official records, victim statements, police and festival responses, and court filings. They use cautious verbs (e.g., "allegedly"), attribute claims to sources, and include institutional condemnations and procedural details rather than partisan commentary, indicating minimal editorial framing.
Sources (20)
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FAQ
Christian Joel Young, 28, was arrested for aggravated burglary, assaulting an elected official, and simple assault after allegedly punching Rep. Maxwell Frost and assaulting another person at a private Sundance event.
Young allegedly entered the private CAA party at High West Saloon by jumping a fence after being denied entry, made racially charged remarks like 'We are going to deport you and your kind' and used a racial slur, punched Rep. Frost in the face, grabbed and pushed a woman, then fled before being detained by security.
Christian Joel Young is being held without bail by order of County Judge Richard Mrazik, who deemed him a substantial danger to the community or likely to flee; the assault charges are being screened for hate crime enhancements.
Rep. Maxwell Frost posted on X about the assault and thanked police; House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed horror and called for aggressive prosecution; Sundance and CAA condemned the incident.
Maxwell Alejandro Frost is the first Gen Z member of Congress, a Democratic U.S. Representative from Florida of Afro-Latino and Haitian descent, elected in 2022 and reelected in 2024.
History
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