Forensic and ballistics officers are on the scene at Tatts On Tatts Off on Anthony Rolfe Avenue, where a staff member found four bullet holes in the window and door about 7.50am.

The owner, who asked that his name not be published, told Fairfax Media the damage was first noticed by one of his employees who came in for an early start.

“He started to prepare and noticed a hole in the roof,” he said.

“He found more bullet holes in the front of the shop.”

Detective Sergeant Matthew Gale from criminal investigations said inquiries into the incident were ongoing.

When asked if a specific motorcycle gang was responsible for the shooting, he said it was not yet clear who was behind it.

"There's a logical line of inquiry, we'll be speaking to lots of people that have been put forward to us, if that particular group is one that we have to speak to, then yes we will," Detective Sergeant Gale said.

“We are still conducting doorknocks and trying to touch base with a lot of the residents.

“We’ve got no suggestion that the operator is affiliated with [outlaw motorcycle gangs] and inquiries are ongoing before we draw any assumptions.”

He said at this stage, there were no witnesses who had heard the shots being fired.

The shop front is less than one kilometre from the police station, which is on the same road.

Customers were notified of the closure via the parlour’s Facebook page, which states that the business is “not affiliated with any outlaw motorcycle group”.

As the owner of the “only non-affiliated studio in Canberra”, the owner also called on the ACT government to introduce stronger legislation surrounding the licensing of tattoo parlours, such as that seen in New South Wales.

“We share the borders, why don’t we share the same legislation,” he said.

He said the incident came as a shock to him and his employees, who had never received any form of threat previously.

“We’ve never been contacted by anybody, never had any threats,” he said.

“This is completely out of the blue.”

He said he was concerned for his safety and that of his employees, but he couldn’t allow intimidation to dictate business.

“This shop will be closed today, but will be reopened tomorrow,” he said.

“It will be business as usual.”

Detectives from criminal investigations are conducting enquiries into the incident.

Anyone with information, or who may have seen or heard anything suspicious overnight on Anthony Rolfe Avenue, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via act.crimestoppers.com.au.

Information can be provided anonymously.