BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A Bellingham man was arrested following a suspected racially-motivated assault.

Police Lt. Claudia Murphy says that an officer witnessed a fight on Cornwall Avenue early Saturday morning, Oct. 24.

The officer broke up the fight and learned that the suspect, identified as a 34-year-old man, made several racially-charged comments towards the victim inside a bar.

My Bellingham Now refrains from publishing suspects’ names until they have made their first court appearance or there is a public need to identify.

Management had kicked the suspect out of the building for a separate issue.

The victim said that when he left the bar on his own later that night, the suspect spotted him and punched him in the head several times.

Whatcom County Jail records show the suspect was booked Saturday morning and released on bail Monday, Oct. 26.