TWO people were shot at Robina Town Shopping Centre this afternoon.

Gold Coast police responded to several Triple Zero calls and discovered a man and woman wounded within the centre about 2pm.

A suspect described as Pacific Islander in appearance, 20-30 years old, 180cm tall, muscular with facial and arm tattoos and dressed in blue jeans, a black hoodie and a black baseball cap is being hunted.

While some parts of the centre remain in lock down police believe the man fled the scene and they are following up several inquiries.

Latest police reports state about 1.50pm an argument between two men on level one of the centre near a music store ended when one drew a firearm and shot the other.

A female not associated with the two men was also shot.

A 42 year old man and a 53 year old woman are being treated in hospital for gunshot wounds.

Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said it was believed the man who was shot had outlaw motorcycle gang connections.

"One of the difficulties with this is these people do not co-operate with police," he said.

"There are people out there in the community who will know something about this, and we urge and ask anyone who has any information about this matter this afternoon to contact Crime Stoppers.

"This sort of behaviour is completely and totally intolerable and unacceptable in our society.

"You have my assurance that the police department will do everything we can to find and prosecute the people responsible.

"And we will do everything we can to prevent this sort of thing happening again in the future."

A major investigation by the Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch and State Crime Operations Command has commenced from a Major Incident Room set up at the Burleigh Heads Police Complex.

Police are appealing for members of the public who may have witnessed the shooting or have any information with respect to the incident to contact Crime Stoppers or the Gold Coast CIB.

Anyone with information should contact crimestoppers.com.au or 1800 333 000.