An attack on a 13-year-old boy at a Gravesend middle school has sent chills throughout the Brooklyn community.

Donald Lui, the boy's father, held a press conference Saturday with elected officials and community advocates to condemn the brutal beating that left his son almost deaf in one ear.

"We need to send a message that under no circumstances will this type of violence be tolerated, especially in our schools," says Assemblyman William Colton.

Lui says the boy was ambushed by a group of students in a school stairwell. The attackers allegedly yelled racial slurs and punched the boy while wearing brass knuckles.

According to Lui's father, the boy has been reluctant and scared to go to school since the beating.

The Department of Education says two of the bullies have been suspended. One of the attackers, 15-year-old Gilbert Ortiz, has been arrested and charged with assault, harassment and criminal possession of a weapon. Ortiz will be tried as an adult.