Incident at Park City’s High West Saloon
A man was apprehended at High West Saloon in Park City after reportedly attacking Florida Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost along with a female attendee during a CAA party at the Sundance Film Festival.
Details of the Arrest
Danielle Snelson, a community outreach lieutenant for Park City Police, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that officers were dispatched to the saloon post-midnight following reports of an assault. Following their investigation, they arrested Christian Young for unlawfully entering a private event after being denied entry for lack of an invitation. Once inside, Young allegedly assaulted Congressman Frost and a female guest who was at the party.
Charges Filed
Young was booked into Summit County Jail on charges of aggravated battery and two counts of simple assault, with each charge potentially subject to a sentencing enhancement, according to Park City PD.
Details of the Disturbance
Young reportedly crashed the party, gaining entry through an alternate entrance after being turned away, as he was neither on the RSVP list nor known as a guest of any confirmed attendee. At around midnight, he allegedly began causing a commotion in a restroom, making racially charged statements that surprised others present. He then exited the restroom and punched Frost, a person of color. Security intervened swiftly to detain him until police arrived.
Congressman’s Response
After the incident, Frost took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm that he was the victim of the assault, stating, “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 was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off. The individual was arrested and I am okay.”
Reaction and Statements
The identity of the female attendee remains unknown. Frost, an Afro-Latino activist, has consistently aimed to focus on issues like housing affordability and voting rights. Following the assault, he expressed gratitude for the support from venue security and the Park City Police. The Sundance Film Festival later issued a statement condemning the violence and affirming their commitment to a safe environment for all attendees.
Context of the Festival and Previous Incidents
The Sundance Film Festival, which runs until February 1, marks its final year in Park City before relocating to Boulder, Colorado. Incidents involving arrests have been a recurring theme during Sundance; in a recent interview, former Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmunds reflected on the chaotic nature of Sundance in previous years.
