One man is now hospitalised after being shot three times by a licensed firearm holder in New Kingston on Sunday evening.

THE STAR understands that the man was shot after he attacked two occupants in a parked motor vehicle with a machete close to the Emancipation Park, moments after his car was broken into.

According to police reports, about 7:30 p.m. the man was out with friends when it was brought to his attention that his Honda Fit motor car was broken into.

The man then went to investigate to determine if anything had been taken from the car.

Shortly afterwards, he observed that a Nissan motor car was parked close to his own car and assumed that one of the occupants was responsible for breaking into his vehicle.

Without asking any questions, he then retrieved a machete from his car, approached the Nissan and began wielding the machete in an attempt to chop the occupants.

A licensed firearm holder who was aboard the Nissan then acted in self-defence and fired three shots hitting his attacker.

The injured man was assisted to the hospital but his name has not been released.

Up to press time, the condition of the hospitalised man was unknown.

The police have since taken a statement from the firearm holder.

Detective Corporal Matthews of the Half-Way Tree CIB is leading the investigation.