Trayvon Martin's Mother Clarifies: I Didn't Mean My Son's Death Was an 'Accident

The mother of Trayvon Martin has clarified remarks that her son's shooting death was an "accident," saying she meant Martin's encounter with George Zimmerman, not Zimmerman shooting him.

"I believe it was an accident. I believe that it just got out of control and he couldn't turn the clock back," Sybrina Fulton said Thursday on NBC's "Today."

The comment immediately drew widespread attention, prompting Fulton to release a statement to NBC saying her remark had been "mischaracterized" and that she believes "George Zimmerman stalked my son and murdered him in cold blood."

"The 'accident' I was referring to was the fact that George Zimmerman and my son ever crossed paths," Fulton said. "It was an accidental encounter. If George Zimmerman hadn't gotten out of his vehicle, this entire incident would have been avoided."

Zimmerman was charged Wednesday with second-degree murder in the unarmed Florida teen's death. Zimmerman has maintained he shot Martin in self-defense.

Fulton's full statement is below:

Earlier today, I made a comment to the media that was later mischaracterized.  When I referenced the word 'accident' today with regard to Trayvon's death, in NO way did I mean the shooting was an accident.

We believe that George Zimmerman stalked my son and murdered him in cold blood.  The 'accident' I was referring to was the fact that George Zimmerman and my son ever crossed paths.  It was an accidental encounter. If George Zimmerman hadn't gotten out of his vehicle, this entire incident would have been avoided.

My son was profiled, followed and murdered by George Zimmerman, and there was nothing accidental about that.

Watch Fulton's "Today" appearance, via NBC: