Police said a dispute involving the groom and a pregnant server escalated after the boat returned to Station Square.
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Three men were arrested after a wedding celebration aboard a Gateway Clipper riverboat spilled into a fight at Station Square, where police said a confrontation involving the groom, a server’s boyfriend and other members of the wedding party escalated early Sept. 1, 2014.
Pittsburgh police were called to the Gateway Clipper dock area about 12:55 a.m. after the boat returned from the wedding cruise. Police said a 19-year-old server had complained that groom Mark Williams, 33, of Crafton, repeatedly touched her and tried to get her to drink alcohol even after she told him she was pregnant. Williams later disputed the account.
The server contacted her boyfriend, Tyler Smith, who came to pick her up after the boat docked. Police said Smith confronted Williams about what the server had reported, and the argument became physical. Smith acknowledged fighting with Williams but was not charged in connection with the incident.
Officers arriving at Station Square encountered a chaotic scene. Police said Williams and another wedding guest, Brian Taylor, were bloodied as officers tried to determine what had happened. Taylor injured his hand after breaking the passenger-side window of a parked vehicle and was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital for treatment.
Williams’ brother, David Williams, 35, also became involved as officers attempted to control the scene. David Williams was an off-duty Pennsylvania State Police trooper assigned to the Kiski Valley barracks. Pittsburgh police alleged at the time that he ignored commands to stay back and became involved in a confrontation with officers.
Mark Williams, David Williams and Taylor were taken into custody and transported to the Allegheny County Jail. Initial charges arising from the confrontation included serious counts against some of the men, although the cases changed substantially as they moved through court.
Less than two weeks later, Mark Williams pleaded guilty to the lesser offenses of public drunkenness and disorderly conduct. Taylor pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and criminal mischief. The two were fined and required to help pay restitution for the vehicle damaged during the disturbance.
All criminal charges against David Williams were withdrawn. State police said at the time that he could return to duty while an internal review continued. Later federal court records also showed that a Pennsylvania State Police administrative investigation reviewed the arrest and surveillance footage.
The case ultimately ended with lesser offenses for the groom and Taylor rather than the more serious allegations filed after the initial disturbance, while the charges against the off-duty trooper were dismissed.
Author note: Last updated Sept. 21, 2026.