U.S Florida representative and former OCSA student, Maxwell Frost, was assaulted during the Sundance Film Festival on January 23. Frost was at a private party in Park City, Utah when the suspect crashed the party and punched the representative in the face.

The suspect, 28-year-old Christian Joel Young jumped the fence and managed to enter the building with a Sundance Festival pass that wasn’t his. He approached Frost and after few hateful remarks, punched him. Young is now being charged with aggravated burglary and assault. Within the comments made he told Frost that he should be deported. Frost, who is Afro-Cuban, stated that Young was, “screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off.”

Frost represents Florida 10th congressional district and since becoming a U.S. representative, has become the first Gen-Z member of congress. He cited how he firmly believes that this attack was racially motivated and raised concerns about greater social divide within the country. He commented on this issue stating how, “So many people who do harbor deep bigotry in their hearts are very emboldened and empowered to be out loud about it and obviously, in some cases, to do violence on others based on that” (Wesh.com). Frost went on to reference how bigotry across the country has an impact not only on the local community but on a deeper level across the country. He believes that the suspect was a supporter of President Trump and emphasized that all leaders should be cautious about what they say.

On X, Frost confirmed that despite the punch, he was okay and was grateful for all the support in the hours following the incident. He warned after these remarks that, “We are in scary times. Please stay safe and do not let these people silence you. ”