A woman is dead and a good samaritan is in a serious condition following a terrifying shooting in north Queensland.

Police said the 34-year-old woman had driven up to her Mackay home around 4.30pm on Wednesday when she was confronted by a 31-year-old man who shot and killed her.

The woman’s teenage daughter and a friend were in the back of the car at the time and ran for help.

A 66-year-old man who rushed to the injured woman’s aid was also shot in the chest by the gunman who then fled the scene, sparking a major manhunt.

“It’s an absolutely shocking thing to have experienced,” Superintendent Paine said.

“They obviously were very fearful… it’s an absolutely tragic situation.”

The woman died at the scene, while the older man was rushed to hospital where he remains in a serious condition.

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Parts of Mackay were forced into lockdown for almost six hours whilst police searched for the alleged gunman.

He was eventually arrested at a service station along the Bruce Highway, near Hinton Street, around 7.45pm.

The man, who reportedly lived on the same street as the victim, remains in police custody.

No charges have been laid, with investigations ongoing.

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