A 20-year-old accused of shooting a man before allegedly stealing a car at gunpoint has appeared in court in Hamilton

Police were called to reports shots had been fired on Chartwell's Bellmont Avenue about 6.30 last night, and found a 31-year-old man dead.

That sparked a massive ground and aerial manhunt.

Police allege the defendant attempted to flee police in a car stolen after waving down a motorist on Gordonton Road.

The accused has been remanded in custody, without plea, and will reappear in the High Court at Hamilton next month.