The party was billed as a “fashionable, upscale party, only for the mature college crowd,” according to the Star-Ledger newspaper. It required collared shirts, heels and shoes.

But the “Friday Before Christmas Party,” held Dec. 23 at the Mirage catering hall, ended in tragedy when 21-year-old Jayson Perry was stabbed to death in the parking lot. The violence began around 12:30 a.m., according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, and police arrived at 1:04 a.m. after receiving several reports.

The party was headlined by Hot 97 and DJ Wallah, with the promise of special guest French Montana, according to the Star-Ledger. The show sold about 450 tickets and the co-owner of the Mirage told the paper things were going well.

“Everyone was enjoying themselves,” Shaun Mehtani said. “The trouble began when [Montana’s] entourage arrived.” Apparently the entourage of about 40 wanted VIP seating but that area was filled.

“They started yelling at the people in VIP,” Mehtani said. “They were taking their drinks.”

A scuffle with the hall’s 10 security staffers ensued, and the fight was moved outside.

Perry was pronounced dead at the hospital; five people were in stabbed and one received a superficial gunshot wound, according to the paper.