A 6-year-old Washington boy suffered serious injuries after being assaulted for standing up to a group of children who were bullying his friend, KOMO reports.

Carter English underwent emergency surgery after suffering a laceration to his eye following the assault, his mother, Dana English, told the news station.

The young boy said he was attacked after confronting a group of kids who were bullying his friend at an apartment complex in Olympia, who then turned on him.

“They were just bullying him, like beating him up,” Carter said. “I just told them to stop…and then they did it to me.”

Carter said the group beat him with sticks and rocks, and rubbed sawdust in his eyes during the assault—which his mother said also caused a broken arm, along with several cuts and bruises.

While authorities are investigating the disturbing case, they said the suspects involved are too young for a criminal referral—including a 5-year-old whom they believe started it all.

“I really don’t know what I’m hoping for other than for people to know that this is not acceptable,” Dana said. “Bullying is not okay. There’s no reason to bully someone ever.”

Police said they plan on getting social services involved.

A GoFundMe crowdfunding effort has been established by friends on behalf of the family.

[Feature photo: Carter English/GoFundMe]