4 Deputies Hurt, 3 Arrests Made in Fight Near Universal CityWalk : Melee: Brawl breaks out as 500 leave Halloween party at restaurant. Authorities say it began over perceived insult.

UNIVERSAL CITY —  Four Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were slightly injured and three men were arrested early Saturday in connection with a fight that started as several hundred celebrants left a Halloween costume party at a restaurant near Universal CityWalk, authorities said.

The fight, which reportedly involved three men still dressed in costume, broke out about 2 a.m. as more than 500 party-goers left Fung Lums restaurant at 222 Universal Terrace Parkway, said Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Deputy Angie McLaughlin.

Authorities said the fight started over a perceived insult in the parking lot of the restaurant. “Somebody’s wife or girlfriend was slighted,” said sheriff’s Lt. Brad Welter. “But, who knows what happened? It’s like a football fight. The guy who gets punched isn’t necessarily the one who created the first foul.”

The Halloween party was sponsored by a local production company. Between 50 and 75 people--many of whom apparently knew the combatants--witnessed the fight, in which one man wore a skeleton costume and another was dressed in black.

“You know how bar fights go,” McLaughlin said.

One deputy was scratched on the leg, one was kicked in the mouth by a combatant and two others were sprayed in the face with pepper spray. All were treated at a nearby hospital and released.

Authorities arrested Raul M. Arevalo, 28, of Canoga Park on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon; Richard W. Byrd, 23, of Granada Hills for allegedly disturbing the peace; and Brian J. Basowski, 20, of Canoga Park for suspicion of battery on a police officer.

All three men were taken to the West Hollywood sheriff’s station. Byrd was being held early Saturday on $259 bail and Basowski’s bail was set at $500.

One of the suspects was cut on the head during the scuffle and all three were sprayed with pepper spray, officers said.

Bernard Pang, owner of Fung Lums--which is a 10-minute walk from Universal’s CityWalk, but not part of the complex--said the celebrants were part of a sponsored party held at the restaurant.

He said there were no incidents inside the restaurant and that party-goers left in an orderly fashion when the business closed at 2 a.m.

“Everyone was in costume,” he said. “Everyone was leaving at the same time.”