BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A man is in custody after Bellingham Police say he committed a racially motivated assault against a child.

Bellingham Police spokesperson Megan Peters says a group of middle school students and staff were on a field trip on Wednesday, June 12 when the man approached them from across the street. The man pushed a black student without any warning, made a racially charged comment, and punched the same student in the face.

Staff members witnessed the assault and got the student to safety before calling police.

It did not take long for officers to respond, as the incident occurred right outside the Bellingham Police Department.

The suspect, 42-year-old Paul Bittner, later made statements to police about assaulting black people. He remains in custody at the Whatcom County Jail without bail.

In response to the racial assault, Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig walked with other students on a similar field trip on Thursday, June 13.