DULUTH — The father of a Duluth middle school student who took his own life is suing the school district, claiming it failed to protect his son from bullying.

Thirteen-year-old Tristan Seehus killed himself in February 2015. His father, Todd Seehus, said other students called his son a “freak” and shoved him into lockers at Lincoln Park Middle School because they mistakenly thought he was gay.

It said the Duluth School District’s failure to address the bullying amounted to discrimination. The complaint said the district ignored and diminished the abuse.

According to a press release, Seehus is seeking damages and an order for the school district to improve its response to similar situations.

The district said Tuesday its schools work to create an environment “where all students are treated with respect.”