News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A man trying to shoot dead and armadillo accidentally hit his mother-in-law instead, police say.

Larry McElroy had taken aim with his 9mm pistol after spotting the creature outside.

What happened next is extraordinary.

Cops in Lee County, Georgia, said 54-year-old McElroy killed the animal with the shot, but the bullet ricocheted.

After hitting the creature’s armour, the round hit a fence, went through the back door of his mother-in-law's mobile home, through a recliner she was sitting in, and into her back

McElroy was reportedly about 100 yards away from the home at the time.

His mother-in-law, 74-year-old Carol Johnson was taken to the hospital, but was expected to be okay.