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A Jacksonville, North Carolina business owner is searching for answers following a vicious attack on his son almost two weeks ago inSeminole County,Fla.

Frank Slavin, the owner of Slavin Gallery inJacksonville, told The Daily News Friday that his son Mark Slavin, 50, has been in critical condition and on life support at Orlando Regional Medical Center since the attack on March 26.

“It doesn’t look good for him, it doesn’t look good at all,” he said.

Slavin said his son, a graduate of Lejeune High School, has massive injuries to his skull after receiving 13 blows to the head with a hammer. He said Mark, who is single and a salesman for a furniture company in Orlando,Fla., was so badly battered that he was unidentifiable.

According to an arrest report from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, a man called 911 on March 26 to report hearing a man screaming for help. The caller said he saw two men pulling a third man from a vehicle and beating him with a hammer. The two dragged the man into nearby woods and continued to attack him, according to the report. The two fled the scene in the man’s vehicle before deputies arrived.

Julius Bender, 18, and Yahaziel Israel, 19, both of Sanford, Fla., were charged on March 30 by the sheriff’s office with attempted homicide, burglary with assault or battery and armed burglary in connection to the attack.

A tip received through the area’s Crime Line led investigators to Bender andIsrael, according to the release. Bender was identified through witness identification, and Israelwas linked to the vehicle through forensic evidence.

Though the name of the man beaten has been redacted in the police report and is not provided in the media release, Kim Cannaday, the media spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office, confirmed he is Mark Slavin.

Frank Slavin said he feels confident they have arrested the perpetrators, but he still has questions.

He noted that the attack took place within a few miles of and one month after an unarmed black teen, Trayvon Martin, was shot and killed by a Hispanic neighborhood watch captain, George Zimmerman, who was not charged in the shooting. The incident has increased racial tensions and sparked rallies nationwide.

Slavin wonders if the attack on his son is somehow related to the shooting.

Mark Slavin is white, and Bender andIsraelare black.

“I’d like to have it checked to see if it was a hate crime,” he said.

He said he contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigations inCharlotteto look into the incident, but he said he was advised to get an attorney.

“What do I need an attorney for?” he asked.

He said he has also contacted local legislators to ask for help, including Congressman Walter Jones, R-N.C.; Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C.; and Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., to no avail.

The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office says they do not believe the attack on Slavin is connected to Martin’s shooting.

“While the investigation is ongoing and we cannot give details at this point, I can tell you investigators from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office do not believe that this attempted homicide had anything to do with the recent events that occurred here inSanford,” Cannady said. “We do not believe it was in retaliation or racially motivated.”

She said they continue to investigate the relationship between Slavin and the two accused in his attack.

“I think when the investigation is complete or at least closer to the end they will release why they arrived at this conclusion,” she said.

Bender andIsraelare being held in the John E. Polk Correctional Facility without bond.

Frank Slavin’s wife, Melanie, and son Greg are currently inFloridawith Mark. Frank Slavin said he plans to join them as soon as he finishes up some work obligations and can close his business.

Slavin said the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office has kept him informed since the beating.

“They are exceptionally good — they went out of their way” he said, choking back tears. “He has pets and they took care of them … I couldn’t believe with all the problems they’ve got going right now they did such a good job on this.”

He is, however, concerned that the witness will not testify.

“He won’t come forward again,” he said.

Sheriff’s spokeswoman Cannady said Bender and Israel have prior arrests, many of which are felonies, as juveniles in Seminole County.