Cervical Spondylosis: This condition, also known as cervical osteoarthritis, is a common cause of neck pain, especially in older adults. The shooting pains could be due to the compression of nerves or the wear and tear of the cervical spine joints.

Muscle Strain: Overuse or acute injury to the muscles in the neck can cause shooting pains. This is a common condition and can be related to poor posture, lifting heavy objects, or sudden movements.
Herniated Cervical Disc: A herniated disc in the cervical spine can compress nerves, leading to shooting pains in the neck. This condition can be caused by injury, wear and tear, or degenerative disc disease.
Cervical Radiculopathy: This condition involves compression or irritation of the nerves exiting the spinal cord in the neck, which can cause shooting pains, numbness, and weakness in the neck and arms.

Meningitis: Although less common, meningitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can cause severe neck pain, among other symptoms like fever, headache, and stiff neck. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A sudden and severe headache (often described as "the worst headache" ever experienced) can be accompanied by neck pain and is indicative of bleeding into the space surrounding the brain. This is a medical emergency.
Spinal Epidural Abscess: An infection in the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord can cause severe neck pain, fever, and neurological deficits. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are necessary to prevent serious complications.

Multiple Sclerosis: This chronic autoimmune disease can cause a wide range of neurological symptoms, including shooting pains in the neck, due to the demyelination of nerve fibers in the central nervous system.
Cervical Spine Tumors: Both benign and malignant tumors can occur in the cervical spine, causing pain, neurological symptoms, and sometimes systemic symptoms like weight loss and fatigue.
Atlantoaxial Subluxation: This condition involves instability or misalignment of the joints between the first (atlas) and second (axis) cervical vertebrae, which can cause neck pain and neurological symptoms. It can be due to various causes, including rheumatoid arthritis, trauma, or congenital conditions.