Officers were called to Woolgoolga beach about 4.30pm on Wednesday after a body was found on the edge of the water.

The body was taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital, where a post-mortem will be conducted.

An hour later, police were called to Darkum Road, Mullaway Bay, after reports of a shooting.

Police said they found a 35-year-old man injured, with gunshot wounds to the right side of his head.

He was taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital for treatment.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said the two incidents were not linked.

The ABC reported a man and his family began fighting with another man on Woolgoolga beach, after the body was found near the water.

The family were followed by the man to their home at Mullaway Bay, where he took out a handgun and shot at the family's car, hitting the father in the head, the report said.

Grafton police duty officer, Murray Gillett, told the ABC said they were searching for the shooter, who drove away in a white ute.

"Both vehicles have stopped side by side [where] further arguments took place," he said.

"We have strong evidence to say that a firearm was produced and at least one shot from the gun has struck the gentleman driver in the side of the head."

The ABC reported that police said the men knew each other, but did not know the drowning victim.

Police said they know the identity of the gunman, the report said.

smh.com.au