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A man was taken into custody on Friday night at a Sundance Film Festival event in Park City, Utah, following an alleged assault on a congressman from Florida.
Democratic U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost shared on X that he was struck in the face by an individual who claimed that former President Donald Trump would deport him. The incident unfolded at a private gathering hosted by the talent agency CAA at High West Distillery, a favored site for events associated with the festival.
“The assailant was shouting racist slurs as he stumbled away,” Frost reported. “The person was apprehended, and I am unharmed.”
Frost, recognized as the first Gen Z member of Congress, expressed gratitude to the staff at the venue and Park City Police Department for their swift response. A representative from the police department confirmed that officers arrived shortly after midnight.
According to court documents, 28-year-old Christian Joel Young was arrested and charged with aggravated burglary, assaulting an elected official, and assault. He was subsequently taken to Summit County Jail.
Young is also accused of grabbing a woman by the shoulder. He appeared to have crashed the party by jumping a fence and had a Sundance Film Festival pass that was not issued in his name, according to the police affidavit.
The Sundance Film Festival representatives released a statement saying that they “strongly condemn” the assault, noting that while it occurred at a non-affiliated event that the behavior is “against our values of upholding a welcoming and inspiring environment for all our attendees.”
“The safety and security of our festival attendees is always our chief concern, and our thoughts are with Congressman Frost and his continued well-being,” the statement read. “We encourage anyone with additional information on this matter to contact the Park City Police Department.”
County Judge Richard Mrazik ordered Young held without bail, on the grounds that he would constitute, “a substantial danger to any other individual or to the community, or is likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court if released on bail.” Young has a prior misdemeanor conviction, according to court records.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote on X that he was horrified by the attack and that “the perpetrator must be aggressively prosecuted.”
“Hate and political violence has no place in our country,” Jeffries continued.
Messages seeking comment were left for representatives for CAA.
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