Authorities are investigating after a Staten Island man was stabbed to death on Saturday just hours after his engagement party.

Antonio Lacertosa, 27, of Staten Island was stabbed in the torso early Saturday morning, outside the Espana Restaurant in Annadale.

The engagement party was held at another location before the group headed to Espana.

Police say the victim was having an argument with another man outside the restaurant before the stabbing.

Published reports say it was a worker from Espana who was part of the argument.

A childhood friend of Lacertosa said the victim was trying to be a peacemaker in a dispute when he was attacked.

"All I know is that he came outside to break up a fight and somebody came from behind and stabbed him and he passed away right there," said Lacertosa's friend. "It's terrible. It's a tragedy.... He was a saint."

By Sunday afternoon no arrests had been made.

Anyone with information on the case should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.