(ABC News)--Oscar Pistorius, the Olympic and Paralympic athlete known as the "blade runner," was taken into custody in South Africa today and charged with the murder of his girlfriend, who was fatally shot at his home.
Police in the South African capital of Pretoria received a call around 3
a.m. today that there had been a shooting at the home of 26-year-old
Pistorius, Lt. Col. Katlego Mogale told The Associated Press. When
police arrived at the scene, they found paramedics trying to revive
29-year-old Reeva Steenkamp, the AP reported.
At a news conference early today, police said Pistorius was arrested and had requested that he be taken to court immediately.
Mogale said the woman died at the house, and a 9-mm pistol was recovered
at the scene and a murder case opened against Pistorius, the AP
reported.
Police said this morning that there were no other suspects in the shooting, and that Pistorius is at the police station.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Pistorius' hearing will be
Friday at 9 a.m. local time. His court hearing was originally scheduled
for this afternoon but has been postponed to give forensics
investigators time to carry out their work, NPA spokesman Medupe
Simasiku said.
The precise circumstances surrounding the incident are unclear. Local
reports say he might have mistaken her for a burglar, according to the
AP.
Police said they have heard reports of an argument or shouting at the
apartment complex, and that the only two people on the premises were
Steenkamp and Pistorius.
Police confirmed there have previously been incidents of a domestic nature at the home of Pistorius.
Pistorius, a sprinter, had double below-the-knee amputations and a part
of his legs has been replaced with carbon fiber blades. In 2012, he
became the first double-leg amputee to participate in the Olympics,
competing in the men's 400-meter race.
He also competed in the Paralympics, where he won gold medals in the
men's 400-meter race, in what became a Paralympics record. He also took
the silver in the 200-meter race.
Steenkamp, according to her Twitter bio,
is a law graduate and model. She tweeted Wednesday, "What do you have
up your sleeve for your love tomorrow??? #getexcited #ValentinesDay."
Steenkamp recently appeared on the cover of FHM magazine, in commercials
and was due to appear on a reality-TV show, "Tropika Island of
Treasure."
Copyright 2013 by ABC News
