A man who tried to escape police by hiding in a pond near a popular dog park has been charged after a deadly shooting sparked a manhunt.
Paul Tagirara, 22, was arrested after a man was fatally shot in the chest at Beenleigh, south of Brisbane, on Tuesday.
Emergency services were called to Hugh Muntz Park about 10.40pm and found a 35-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his chest.
Despite efforts to revive him, he was declared dead at the scene, Detective Acting Superintendent Paul Fletcher said.
Police launched a search for a stolen white Kia seen in the area at the time of the shooting, tracking the vehicle to the northern Gold Coast about 1.30am.
The driver fled into bushland and dog squad officers swept the area.
He was found "hiding underwater amongst the reeds" near popular dog reserve Saltwater Park.
A firearm was found nearby and ammunition was in his possession, police said.
Tagirara, of Beenleigh, was charged with car theft, receiving stolen property and possession of a firearm and ammunition.
He faced Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Tagirara was on a return-to-prison warrant and remanded in custody.
He did not enter a plea, and the charges were remanded until January 22, with Tagirara expected to appear by video link.
Investigations into the shooting death continue, with charges expected to be upgraded.
"I would like to commend the police who acted bravely and swiftly to bring this matter under control in a very short space of time," Det Fletcher said on Wednesday.
"Obviously, anything where you have an armed offender running from police, they are erratic.
"They can do a number of different things under pressure, so also, running through bushland with low visibility makes it extremely difficult for police."
Police said the pair arrived at the park separately and were yet to confirm the connection between them or the motive for the shooting.
"At this point, we're not looking for anybody else, but we are conducting further inquiries to make sure we haven't missed anything."
