A 37-year-old woman has died after a daylight shooting on a main Hobart road on Thursday afternoon.

Police said a 73-year-old man, the woman's estranged partner, allegedly confronted her in her car and fired several shots from a shortened rifle, hitting her in the face.

She was taken to hospital but later died.

A 53-year old woman who was also shot in the car sustained arm and hand injuries and remained in a serious but stable condition at Royal Hobart Hospital.

Police said a passing motorist restrained the man until they arrived at the scene at New Town, in Hobart's north.

The Huon Valley man will appear in court on Friday charged with murder.

Police were called to the area to respond to reports of shots being fired on Risdon Road near the Brooker Highway about 3:15pm (AEST).

Inspector Grant Twining said officers were on the scene within minutes.

One man was arrested at the scene of the shooting and police said a weapon was recovered. ( ABC News )

"There's been a number of witnesses that have observed what has happened and they've been very forthcoming to the attending police," he said.

"There's nothing to indicate that there's anyone else involved, apart from the parties that were here."

There were children playing at a nearby soccer field at the time of the incident.

Risdon Road was closed to traffic between Albert Road and the highway.

The area was treated as a crime scene and police have appealed for more witnesses.