Former boxer Graeme Mason said his 16-year-old son Bradley was being treated for suspected brain injuries after being knocked to the ground during a violent altercation at the Westfield Belconnen food court about 2pm.

He said his son, a student at Ginninderra College, was eating with him at Subway when they were joined by several friends. One friend, which Mr Mason said was of African descent, left the group to get a drink at which point two people began harassing him.

“This guy came over and started picking at him,” he said.

“My son saw it and went over and asked if he was alright … This other guy came charging and hit him.”

Mr Mason said he heard his son’s head “smash” into the tiles, resulting in a golfball-sized lump.

He said the two men involved in the alleged altercation ran away before police and emergency services arrived.

An ACT Policing spokeswoman said police were aware of a disturbance at the mall and were investigating.

The ACT Emergency Services Agency could not confirm whether anyone had been taken to hospital from the mall.

Westfield Belconnen has been approached for comment.

There were reports on social media users that an area near the Subway outlet had been taped off on Friday afternoon and that police and ambulance officers attended.

More to come.