Pistorius: 'Consumed With Sorrow' Over Girlfriend Shooting

JOHANNESBURG —  February 14 marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting death of South African model Reeva Steenkamp, at the hands her boyfriend, Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius. On the anniversary, Pistorius made his first public statement about the shooting.

His Twitter account had been silent since Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on February 14, 2013.

Early Friday, he used his account to make his first public statement on her death.

In a message posted at about 1:00 a.m., he wrote, "A few words from my heart on oscarpistorius.com."

On his website, his statement reads: "No words can adequately capture my feelings about the devastating accident that has caused such heartache for everyone who truly loved - and continues to love Reeva. The pain and sadness - especially for Reeva’s parents, family and friends consumes me with sorrow. The loss of Reeva and the complete trauma of that day, I will carry with me for the rest of my life."

The trial of the double-amputee athlete, widely known as the "Blade Runner," is set to begin March 3rd.

The state argues that Pistorius murdered Steenkamp, shooting her as she hid in a bathroom at his Pretoria home.

Pistorius' attorneys call the shooting an accident, saying he was convinced there was a burglar in his home, and he shot and killed Steenkamp mistakenly.

Tuesday, Steenkamp's parents, Barry and June, issued their own statement, offering gratitude for the outpouring of grief and compassion from people around the world.

"We understand and empathize with other parents and families who have lost a child or loved one through violence or abuse," they said.

They said they are looking for closure through the trial and intend to start a foundation in their daughter's honor that serves the poor and abused.

Friday morning, the African National Congress Women's League marched in Pretoria, some carrying signs that said Pistorius should rot in jail for killing Steenkamp.

The women's league protested outside of Pistorius' bail hearing last year, using the high-profile case to talk about the larger issue of violence against women in South Africa.

Pistorius has been out on bail since he was initially arrested, though he has kept a low profile in the last year.