GALVESTON — Authorities have arrested a Chicago man in connection with a chaotic brawl involving more than two dozen cruise passengers Saturday at the Port of Galveston.

Ethan Merritt-Clark was charged with injury to elderly, reckless serious bodily injury after allegedly pushing an elderly man during an altercation in the debarkation area of Cruise Terminal 25, shortly after the Carnival Jubilee returned to port.

The confrontation, which unfolded near children and senior citizens, was widely shared on social media, showing multiple passengers throwing punches and kicking individuals who had fallen to the ground.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Port of Galveston police responded to the disturbance, though U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers had intervened and stopped the altercation before their arrival.

Initially, Merritt-Clark told officers the fight stemmed from a disagreement during a basketball game onboard the cruise ship the day before. He later admitted to pushing the elderly victim “hard,” leading to several individuals retaliating against him.

The reported victim told officers he noticed Merritt-Clark watching him and his family in a “hostile manner” and exchanged words. When the victim warned Merritt-Clark, “Don’t do what you’re about to do,” Merritt-Clark allegedly struck the man on the side of the head, causing him to stumble — saved only by falling onto his luggage.

Two independent witnesses corroborated the victim’s account, stating that the elderly man attempted to de-escalate the situation before being attacked.

As a result of the fight, Carnival Cruise Line permanently banned 24 passengers, placing them on the company’s Do Not Sail list.

“We will not tolerate such behavior,” Carnival said in a statement. “This matter has been turned over to law enforcement.”

Merritt-Clark was no longer listed in custody at the Galveston County Jail as of Monday.

Under federal guidelines, cruise lines are responsible for terminal security when ships are docked, though both Carnival and Port of Galveston officials say the investigation remains ongoing.