A 22-year-old suspect has been charged with murder after a teen was shot dead in the carpark of a popular beach.

Ekampreet Sahni, 18, was gunned down at Bar Beach in Newcastle, NSW just before 11.40pm on Wednesday.

The accused handed himself over to officers at Newcastle Police Station on Friday before being charged with murder.

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He was refused bail and will appear before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday.

Sahni was involved in a large carpark brawl when a gunman emerged from a white SUV mid-fight and fired, NSW Police were told.

Sahni was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.

The SUV was later dumped and torched.

A 22-year-old man handed himself over to authorities at Newcastle Police Station just before 11.30am on Friday and was arrested.

Police announced a charge of murder had been laid in an update just before 6pm.

The investigation under Strike Force Bolwarra, involving detectives and the Homicide Squad, is ongoing.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers.