ST CATHERINE, Jamaica— Two of three men who attempted to pick ackees from an open lot in Tarzan district in Caymanas Bay, St Catherine on Monday were attacked, shot and chopped.

The men, who have since been admitted to hospital, were attacked after they disobeyed a request to not pick the fruits.

It was reported that around 10:35 am, the three went to pick ackees on the heavily vegetated open lot. While there, they were approached by a man who told them they could not take any of the fruits.

Police said an argument developed between both parties, during which the man went away and later returned with five other men in a motorcar and pickup truck.

The men, who were armed with machetes and a shotgun, attacked the ackee pickers. One of the men managed to flee and escape. Another received shotgun wounds to his back, while the third was chopped in his left eye and left shoulder.

They eventually managed to run from the bushes and were assisted by the police to hospital where they were treated and admitted.