PITTSBURGH \u2014 Police were needed to disperse a number of fights in Downtown Pittsburgh during Light Up Night on Saturday.<\/p>\n
RELATED COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh Light Up Night 2025 fills Steel City with celebration, illumination<\/a><\/p>\n A Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson says large crowds were present throughout Downtown. Pittsburgh police responded to fights that broke out, but no major incidents were reported.<\/p>\n During the night, multiple people were detained, 18 non-traffic citations were issued and three arrests were made, the spokesperson says. <\/p>\n One of those people was Keshawn Sample, 20, who is accused of punching a police officer.<\/p>\n Crowds of juveniles gathered mainly around Wood Street\/Forbes Avenue and Market Square, the spokesperson says. Several fights broke out in those areas, with police ordering the crowds to disperse.<\/p>\n Police continued to disperse crowds and deal with minor altercations for hours after Light Up Night ended, the spokesperson says.<\/p>\n According to the criminal complaint, Sample yelled at officers and took a fighting stance. Sample allegedly punched an officer after getting in the officer\u2019s way and bumping into them. He was arrested immediately afterward.<\/p>\n In that same criminal complaint, an officer describes \u201cdisorderly behavior, reaching riot levels of hundreds if not thousands of chaotic civilians\u201d at Light Up Night.<\/p>\n The officer also says people were trying to \u201cincite large fights and the running of hundreds of people causing a serious threat to public safety and innocent bystanders.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED COVERAGE >>> Police prepare to keep tens of thousands of people safe at Pittsburgh Light Up Night 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Between 75 and 100 police officers were to be stationed Downtown for Saturday\u2019s events.<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92025 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n