Lincoln police arrested a man for what they are considering a hate crime.

Officer Katie Flood says Sgt. Mike Ripley was driving by the Q Bar around 1:40 a.m. Friday morning when he noticed two men in a verbal fight. Flood says Ripley was walking toward the two men when the victim tried to get away from a man later identified as 21-year-old Luke Stevens, who is a student at UNL.

As the officer approached both men, Flood says Stevens actually punched the victim in the face. She says there was a struggle with officers, and Stevens was taken down to the ground and arrested.

"The victim and several witnesses reported that Luke Stevens did not know them," Flood says. "He started calling them derogatory names based on their sexual orientation. It was clear that he was trying to entice a fight."

Stevens was lodged for assault, disturbing the peace and failure to comply. Flood says he could be facing a much more serious situation.

"There is a state statute that allows for enhanced penalties specifically when it comes to hate crimes," Flood says. "In this case the 3rd degree assault will be enhanced to a class four felony."

Flood says Travis Garrett, who is a friend of Stevens, was also cited for disturbing the peace. According to Flood, both the victim and Stevens were in the bar earlier, but the incident occurred outside the bar.