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Olympic and Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius was charged with murder Thursday after his girlfriend was shot dead at his South African home.
South African Police spokeswoman Denise Beukes said that Pistorius, 26, and the victim were the only people present when the shooting took place. The woman had been shot at least twice, police said.
Pistorius will appear for a court hearing on Friday at 9am local time, the South African prosecutor’s office confirmed.
Numerous media outlets reported that the sprinter -- who is nicknamed "Blade Runner" because he races wearing carbon fiber prosthetic blades -- may have mistaken the woman for an intruder.
Beukes would not confirm the victim's identity, but said investigators were "very surprised" to hear media reports that the shooting was possibly a case of mistaken identity.
A publicist for Reeva Steenkamp, a model whom Pistorius was dating, confirmed to NBC's TODAY that her client was dead. She described the incident as a "huge loss for everyone and too shocking for words."
© Lucky Nxumalo / City Press - Gallo Images via Getty Images, file
Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp attend an award ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 4.
Beukes said there were no signs of forced entry to the home and said that police would oppose any application Pistorius might make to be released on bail.
Beukes said there had been reports about previous problems at Pistorius' home that were "allegations of a domestic nature." When a reporter asked if she meant domestic violence, she nodded and said yes.
"There are witnesses and we have interviewed them," she added. "We're talking about neighbors and people who heard things earlier in the evening and when the shooting took place."
The Associated Press reported that a 9mm handgun had been found at his home in the luxurious Silver Woods gated community.
More on this story from NBC Sports
Sarit Tomlinson, who is Steenkamp's publicist, told Britains' Sky News that the the pair had been together for a couple months.
"She was a rising star ... a very bright young girl," Tomlinson said. She noted that "no one knows what happened" but said "we are in communication with the people on the scene."
The Silver Woods Country Estate released a statement on its website early Thursday: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic circumstances that occurred today at Silver Woods. Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to Reeva Steenkamp’s family and friends."
Steenkamp, a 30-year-old law school graduate, gushed about Valentine's Day on Twitter Wednesday, posting "What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow???" and "It should be a day of love for everyone."
What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow??? #getexcited #ValentinesDay
— Reeva Steenkamp (@reevasteenkamp) February 13, 2013
Pistorius was born without a fibula in both legs and battled for years to be allowed to compete against able-bodied athletes.
'National hero'
He was the first double amputee to run in the Olympics. He qualified for the 400-meter semi-finals and 4 x 400-meter final at the London 2012 Summer Games.
His website highlighted that Pistorius ran in 11 races during the London 2012 Olympics and Paralymics and returned home with "two Paralympic gold medals, Paralympic silver, two world records, a Paralympic record, an Olympic individual semi-final and an Olympic final."
Pistorius, a double amputee born without fibulas in his legs, has trained hard to participate in the Olympics despite having to wear prosthetic legs. NBC's Mary Carillo reports.
He earned headlines after qualifying for the 2011 world championships in Daegu, South Korea, and is widely considered the world's most famous disabled athelete.
Speaking to Sky News, South African journalist Kribani Pillay described Pistorius as a "national hero and national icon."
Violent crime is major issue in South Africa, and many homeowners own guns.
In a January 2012 New York Times article, Pistorius described his reaction to a security alarm going off in his home:
He mentioned that a security alarm in the house had gone off the previous night, and he had grabbed his gun and tiptoed downstairs. (It turned out to be nothing.)
I asked what kind of gun he owned ... He fetched his 9-millimeter handgun and two boxes of ammunition. We got back in the car and drove to a nearby firing range, where he instructed me on proper technique. Pistorius was a good coach. ... I asked him how often he came to the range. “Just sometimes when I can’t sleep,” he said.
The U.S. State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security warns of the danger of Pretoria and other South African cities: "On a rating scale of low, medium, high, and critical, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town are rated 'critical' for crime."
Citing South African Police Service 2011 crime statistics, the agency pointed out home invasion as a particularly violent crime that occurs "at an alarmingly high rate."
In Gauteng Province, which includes Pretoria and Johannesburg, there were 7,039 home invasions reported in 2011, according South African police statistics.
Artist Melinda Bam of Pretoria, who was Miss South Africa 2011, expressed her sadness on Twitter and mentioned "how unsafe most South Africans feel because of crime."
Heartbroken for #ReevaSteenkamp's family & for #OscarPistorius.This highlights how unsafe most South Africans feel because of crime#RIPReeva
— Melinda Bam (@melindabam) February 14, 2013
South Africa's Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee declined to discuss the shooting.
"SASCOC ... knows no more than what is in the public domain, which is there has been an alleged fatal shooting on the basis of a mistaken identity and an apparent assumption of a burglary," it said. "The organization is in no position to comment on the incident other than to say our deepest sympathy and condolences have been expressed to the families of all concerned."
Oscar Pistorius may soon make history as the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics. The South African sprinter's emergence as one of the world's fastest runners has generated controversy over whether his carbon fiber prosthetic legs give him an unfair advantage, something he vehemently denies. NBC Sports' Mary Carillo reports.
NBC News' Matthew DeLuca and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related:
Reeva Steenkamp was model, budding TV star
Pistorius sorry for timing of outburst at Paralympics -- but is brand destroyed?
'Meet the Superhumans': Paralympians burst onto world stage
This story was originally published on Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:38 AM EST
Leave a Comment:
Wow ,, How cheap can you be on Valentine day? He could not spring for a box of candy?
Pretty sad story obviously. For the burglar break-in story to be plausible though, there would have to be evidence of an actual break-in. Scratches on the door from being jimmied, broken window by a door to unlock it from the outside. No mention of any of that by the police... at least not yet. Doesn't look good for Oscar. Especially after considering he has been arrested for murder, not just been named a person of interest, or someone brought in for questioning.
I never can understand when a man shoots a woman unless death is his objective. These young people seem to have so much to live for, but again we really don't know what happened yet. The police will make their determination and the media will sensationalize it, So I hope in this instant they are both premature
Proof that even disabled can be complete doooshbags.
His Olympic fame dimming, aka "Fade Runner".......Her career taking off? A case of jealously and bruised ego.
The dude couldn't handle it... Sad.
Shouldn't everybody wait to see how everything unfolds to find out what really happened before we throw stones?
I guess to him the girl was just another "skin job."
South Africa---class warfare supported by their crappy leadership. White establishment is 'evil'. Sound familiar Obamamites? Our president the most divisive in history---racebaiting dillrod with the dumbest voting bloc in history---democrats. Can't believe the stupidity of people in the USA when asked about why they voted OBAMA. Dumber than a box of rocks and completely clueless
Mitch Cumsteen I've got a piano for sale on Craigsdlis that you might interested in. It only plays one note, but I figure that shouldn't bother an Obama hater. ting ting ting ting ting
OJ redux. "Possibly thought she was an 'intruder'". GIVE ME A BREAK! Once there are reports of previous domestic violence---all other excuses don't hold water.
Now he will be running from inmates that want to make him their BITCH!!!
Look at Ted Nugent. That idiot sits on the board of the NRA and is the angriest little pussy I have ever seen. Lots of pussies own guns and threaten people. Angry + gun = victims. The culture all around the globe is violence and anger. It seems to all boil down to a roll of the dice of when a person will end up being a gun victim, but live by the sword and die by the sword certainly does increase your odds of getting wacked or being the wacker.
Ted is the sanest guy we know. Maybe angry at the dumba#ses who have no idea what the NRA is all about. Maybe you.... aka PUSSY....and Obama can find a Chciago ghetto and learn 'gun safety' from some gangbangers.
you tell it Mitch:" Cumstain".......you freakazoid lunatic
Who cares? Just two more pieces of useless crap.
Hmmm, wonder why he didnt use a "blade" instead... wonder what our "divider" in chief has to say about this now since a gun was involved
When he left the police station, it looked like he didn't have a lot of spring in his step.
perhaps it was because there were signs of a few loose screws.....
Phil COmmander - you win multiple awards for your post above
1.) THe illiteracy award for inability to absorb the little bit of information there was,
2.) FOr totallly misunderstanding and miinterpreting what you were able to read.
3.) The off-topic award as TEd Nugent has nothing to do with this guy, just your own personal obsessions.
What? Did she make some wise crack about his springy appendages? *BLAM* "Take that!" What a weener.
Unfortunately his story isn't very viable. I believe that the murder was one committed due to jealousy. I am sure that he has some sort of hang ups due to his disabilities and he felt inferior to other "able bodied" men who interacted with his girlfriend.
When he left the police station, it looked like he didn't have a lot of SPRING in his step.
this guy is a cheat- he runs in the Olympics w/fake legs and then runs in the para's- not at all surprised- he thinks he can do anything- welcome to prison- reminds me of OJ- I'm the man and dont forget it-loser
He thought she was a burglar? That excuse has been used before and it doesn't work anymore. Now he will be sprinting from Big Bubba!!!
This guy has a temper as evidenced by his behavior in the Olympics. They even gave him another chance and he still lost. Probably wanted to control this young woman like SO many domestic violence murders around the world each day.
w
nobody's laughing, jimhasbrooke.... repeating your bad joke won't change that....
the problem in modern society is that people deem athletes to be heros- and they worship them- they do nothing heroic like soldiers- I hear sports stories calling someone a hero- Huh? they don't even understand what a hero is- saving 3 of your fellow dying soldiers on the battlefield is heroic not making the final shot of a ball game
did this all happen after he "sprung" out of bed ? Wonder if his attorney thinks that he will "leap" right out of prison in a short period of time ?
You've gotta be kidding! Murder?
What in the world?
A beautiful, stunning woman.
Looking at this guy during the Olympics and in interviews, he was probably the last person you would expect to do something like this. Obviously, he didn't care enough about his previous accomplishments or feel good enough about what he meant to others. Why would he throw everything away?
Likely, she was ending the relationship -- or perhaps she had an affair.
Whatever!
If leaving or an affair was a reason to kill her, he had some deeper emotional/psychological problems for sure. Could have found another beautiful woman right around the corner.
Is it just me or is it a wee bit nipply in here? Had to do a double take on that picture. Whoaaa, Nelly.