Sybrina Fulton writes letter to family of Michael Brown

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The mother of slain teenager Trayvon Martin has written a letter expressing support for the family of Michael Brown.

In an exclusive letter published Monday for TIME, Sybrina Fulton offers Brown’s relatives her personal recommendations on how to cope with pain and advice for moving forward. In her more than 800-word letter, Fulton writes she will “pray for you then share my continuing journey as you  begin yours.” She continues:

Further complicating the pain and loss in this tragedy is the fact that the killer of your son is alive, known, and currently free. In fact, he is on paid administrative leave. Your own feelings will bounce between sorrow and anger. Even when you don’t want to think about it because it is so much to bear, you will be forced to by merely turning on your television or answering your cell phone.

Fulton’s son Trayvon was killed by George Zimmerman in February, 2012, after returning home from a convenience store. Like Brown, Martin was unarmed at the time of his death. Martin was 17. Brown was 18.

Last Saturday, shortly after noon, Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson killed Brown. According to a private autopsy Brown’s family commissioned, Brown was shot at least six times.

Wilson killed Brown after an alleged altercation, according to police officials. Witnesses claim Brown had his hands up at the time of his death.

Since her son’s death, Fulton has been outspoken opponent of gun violence.

In the TIME letter, she writes that she has devoted her life:

…to the comprehensive missions of The Trayvon Martin Foundation — including providing support to families that have lost a young child to senseless gun violence regardless of race, ethnicity or gender.

Click here to read the full letter on TIME.