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.

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.”