A man has been charged with murder after a woman was shot dead and a man injured in an alleged attack that sparked an emergency declaration and manhunt in the Queensland town of Mackay on Wednesday.
Police arrested a 31-year-old man outside a fast food restaurant, hours after the “absolutely shocking” incident led to several streets being closed.
He was later charged with murder and attempted murder and will appear in court today.
District Superintendent Graeme Paine said a 34-year-old woman had arrived at Robb Place in South Mackay on Wednesday afternoon when a 31-year-old man approached and shot at the vehicle, injuring the woman.
Two young teenagers who were also in the vehicle fled to a nearby residence, after which a 66-year-old man came to the woman’s aid, Superintendent Paine told reporters.
A woman was shot dead and a man was injured in an alleged attack that sparked an emergency declaration and a manhunt in the Queensland city of Mackay.
The incident forced police to close off the surrounding area while they searched for the alleged gunman (pictured, exclusion zone)
The gunman allegedly shot him in the chest.
The woman died from the gunshot wound, while the 66-year-old man was taken to hospital in serious but stable condition.
Police were called to the scene after 4:30 p.m., made an emergency declaration and established an exclusion zone at 5:20 p.m.
Patrols later found a suspicious vehicle and around 7:45 p.m. arrested the 31-year-old man in front of a fast food restaurant about 2 kilometers from the scene of the shooting.
“I don’t have any details at this time as to any type of motive or reasons behind what occurred,” Superintendent Paine said.
Police did not know if the woman and the two men knew each other, but believed they “resided in close proximity to each other.”
Superintendent Paine said police were examining several scenes.
The shootings were “absolutely shocking” to the teens.
“They were obviously very scared and they went to get help and that help was provided and unfortunately the man who also provided help was injured so it’s an absolutely tragic situation,” Superintendent Paine said.
The emergency declaration was revoked Wednesday night at Robb Place, Paradise Street, Archibald Street, Kindermar Street and Denton Street.