A fight that broke out during a party held at the Italian-American Civic Association Hall, located at 115 Jericho Turnpike in Mineola, resulted in a man being stabbed to death, police said.

According to detectives, police were called to the hall at about 12:30 a.m., early Sunday morning, Sept. 16, when a fight broke out. Upon their arrival, they found a man lying on the floor with a stab wound in his upper left chest. The victim was transported to Winthrop-University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1 a.m.

Police made five arrests - three 18-year-old males, from West Babylon, Freeport and Herricks, a 17-year-old male from Mineola and a 16-year-old male from New Rochelle. All five have been charged with first degree Gang Assault.

According to Detective Sergeant William Cocks, the Italian-American Civic Association leased out the hall for a party. During the party, a fistfight erupted during which an assailant took out a knife and stabbed one of those involved to death, Cocks said.

Third precinct officers who were in the area responded to the scene and found people running away from the area. Although police made five arrests, it is still unknown who wielded the knife. However, police believe the five men who were arrested were involved in the beating of the victim prior to his death.

According to Tony Nocito of the Italian-American Civic Association, the hall was rented out with the intention that there would be a birthday party held there Saturday night. "We had no knowledge of what was going to take place," he said.

However, Cocks said it was the type of party where the hall was rented out, a keg of beer is brought in and those attending the party are charged money to get in. A party such as this is sometimes referred to as a "rave."

Cocks said he didn't believe the incident was gang related. However, he did say there might have been members of gangs present at the party. "We believe there may have been some Latin Kings and Netas in there, but that wasn't really the motive for the stabbing. It wasn't the classic one gang against another. For some reason, a brawl broke out," he said.

Cocks said the victim and those arrested did know each other, but he isn't sure about the nature of their relationship. He also said he did not know what the fight was about or what precipitated it.

Nocito said the civic association doesn't provide any food or drinks or staff people. When it is rented, those who leased the hall are on their own. However, Nocito said when the Italian-American Civic Association now rents out the hall, the organization would have someone stop by during the course of the time the hall is rented for.

The investigation is continuing. Police ask anyone with information to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.