South Mackay shooting:  Man charged with murder after a woman was allegedly shot dead in front of horrified teens

A Queensland man is accused of shooting dead his neighbour and injuring a good Samaritan who rushed to her aid in an alleged attack that sparked an emergency declaration and manhunt.

Ryan Cole, 31 allegedly shot his neighbour Natalie Jane Frand, 34, in the head and chest as she pulled up in her car outside her house on Robb Place, South Mackay, on Wednesday afternoon.

Two teenagers - Ms Frand's daughter and the girl's friend - were in the vehicle and fled to a nearby residence to seek help. 

James Trevor McGill, 66, came to the mother's aid and was allegedly shot in the chest and hand by Cole. Ms Frand died at the scene while McGill was rushed to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Cole allegedly fled the scene - sparking a massive lockdown as police searched the area - before he was later arrested at a service station in nearby suburb. 

It is understood Cole and Frand did not know each other, but resided on the same street. 

Cole appeared in Mackay Magistrates Court on Thursday morning via watch-house video link, charged with murder and attempted murder.

Magistrate Damian Dwyer told Cole he did not have jurisdiction to give him bail, and any applications would need to go through the Supreme Court, the Courier Mail reports.

Magistrate Dwyer ordered that a full brief of evidence be provided by August 2 and listed a committal hearing for September 11.  

Police were called to the scene after 4.30pm and made an emergency declaration and put an exclusion zone in place at 5.20pm.

Police will allege Cole fled the scene in a Mitsubishi Triton, which they found about 7.45pm outside a service station on the Bruce Highway near Hilton Street, about 2km away.  

District Superintendent Graeme Paine said police were examining a number of scenes.

The alleged shootings were 'an absolutely shocking thing' for the teens to have experienced.

'They obviously were very fearful and they've gone and sought help and that help was provided and unfortunately that male who also provided help has been injured, so an absolutely tragic situation,' Supt Paine said.

The emergency declaration was revoked late on Wednesday around Robb Place, Paradise Street, Archibald Street, Kindermar Street and Denton Street.