A Memphis, Tennessee, 12-year-old who wrote an impassioned letter to Republican Gov. Bill Lee, warning him about a new gun law, was killed by a stray bullet Christmas morning, WREG reports.

Artemis Rayford's message was centered on the bill that would permit anyone over the age of 21 to carry a handgun without receiving proper training or having a required permit.

Artemis Rayford's family is in disbelief over his death.

The gun projectile entered the wall of the home where Rayford lived with his mother and 6-year-old sister, according to The Washington Post. The bullet struck him in the chest while he was playing a video game.

Rayford immediately jumped and called out "momma" before he collapsed and died in her arms, according to his older sister, Doneisha Eddings.

"To lose a 12-year-old brother on Christmas… come on now," Eddings said, according to WJHL.

"Words can't explain the way I feel," Eddings continued. "They just need to stop this senseless killing. It's not getting no better."

"When he got shot, the only thing he could do was run to his mama," Artemis's grandmother, Joyce Newson, told WREG-TV. "It took her two days to wash the blood off her hands."

Rayford wrote about his school's anti-violence initiative in a letter to the governor.

In his letter to the governor, Rayford, a student at Sherwood Middle School, wrote about his school's anti-violence initiative in partnership with the Memphis Police Department. He opposed the new law enacted in July that would allow individuals 21 and up and military service members 18 and older to carry without a permit.

"It is my opinion that this new law will be bad and people will be murdered," Rayford wrote in his letter.

His family later received a photograph of his letter, which was sent by his teacher.

“How did this child [who wrote] this letter about guns end up losing his life over a gun?” Newson said. “What kind of coincidence is that? That’s powerful to me.”

Rayford's family now has only his memory to embrace.

Meanwhile, Rayford's family is coming to terms with his untimely death and embracing the memories of their loved one, who was affectionately nicknamed "Shun."

"He was a kind, sweet and innocent little boy, and he loved dancing," his sister told WREG. "I never saw him mad or angry. He was just full of joy, full of life."

The governor's office has not confirmed if Lee received the letter or read the young child's message.