The shooter remains at large as police say there appears to be no "rhyme or reason" behind the Brisbane man being hit with a shotgun round at Cavill Avenue early on Saturday.
The young man was walking with two friends about 4.30am when a black Ford Ranger ute drove past them, firing a single round through the passenger side window.
The 20-year-old was hit in the chest, with no known motive behind the shooting, Superintendent Scott Knowles told media.
"It doesn't appear that the victim, or his friends, knew anybody that was causing any problems, or had any issues with anybody
"(There) doesn't appear to (be) any rhyme or reason as to why this incident occurred."
The Ranger then did a U-turn, drove on Ferny Avenue towards Southport before taking the motorway north.
The victim was taken to Gold Coast Hospital where he is awaiting surgery.
He suffered internal bleeding and his condition remains critical.
Police later found the Ranger engulfed in flames at Pallara, about one hour north west of where the 20-year-old was shot.
The vehicle was stolen earlier in the week from Murrumba Downs in the Moreton Bay area, about 90 minutes drive from the Gold Coast.
Investigators believe more than one person may have been inside the ute when the shot was fired.
Anyone with dashcam footage from the M1, Pallara or Gold Coast areas that may include vision of a black Ford Ranger utility, or with information about the person or people in the ute, has been urged to contact police.
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