Double-amputee Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius, once a global inspiration, is now an accused murderer.
The South African runner was arrested and jailed after pumping four bullets into his model girlfriend in a stunning Valentine’s Day slaying, police said Thursday.
The unlikely athlete — dubbed the “Blade Runner” for his prosthetic legs — used a 9-mm. handgun to kill Reeva Steenkamp before sunrise in his Pretoria, South Africa, home, authorities said.
Pistorius’ stunning arrest came with further shocking news: The runner, who became an international symbol of tenacity and courage, was previously investigated for domestic abuse allegations.
Steenkamp was an outspoken advocate against domestic violence.
The 26-year-old Pistorius — identified by cops as the lone suspect in the killing — was questioned by police for hours before the murder charge was announced.
Pistorius, the first double-amputee ever to compete at the Olympics, covered most of his face with a gray workout jacket as photographers fought for photos of the accused killer leaving a police station.
The arrest came barely five months after his triumphant appearance at the London Games.
Pistorius was due in court Friday as forensic investigators scoured the murder scene for evidence against him in the brutal shooting, authorities said. Cops were called to the house around 3 a.m. Thursday.
“Yes, there are witnesses and there have also been interviews this morning,” said Pretoria police spokeswoman Brigadier Denise Beukes. “We are talking about neighbors and people that heard things that happened earlier in the evening and when the shooting took place.”
According to Buekes, there were several previous “allegations of a domestic nature” at Pistorius’ home in a gated community. She declined to provide details about the earlier events.
“I’m not going to elaborate, but there have been incidents,” she said.
Steenkamp, on the day before her shocking and violent death, talked lovingly about her boyfriend and her anticipation of Valentine’s Day.
“What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow??? #getexcited #ValentinesDay,” she said via Twitter.
In another, she mentioned Pistorius: “Starting my day off with a yummy healthy shake from my boo :) #healthyliving”
The two had dated for just a few months before the fatal shooting, said Pistorius’ ex-coach, Andrea Giannini. They went public as a couple in November at a Johannesburg awards ceremony.
Henke Pistorius, the athlete’s father, had little to say about the stunning charges against his son.
“We all pray for guidance and strength for Oscar and the lady’s parents,” he told The Associated Press.
Steenkamp’s sister took to Twitter to mourn her slain sibling.
“Life has lost one of its children but heaven has gained one of its Angels ... #shattered,” wrote Darren Fresco.
Steenkamp, 30, was an internationally known model named as one of FHM magazine’s “100 Sexiest Women in the World” for two straight years.
The gorgeous blonde typically used her Twitter feed to send messages urging women to stand up against rape and domestic violence.
Pistorius enjoyed target shooting, and a January 2012 article in The New York Times Magazine described him using a 9-mm. pistol at a shooting range.
A Nike ad featuring Pistorius used the tagline “I am a bullet in the chamber” alongside shots of the athlete exploding out of the starting blocks.
The ad was reportedly yanked from the runner’s web site after the arrest. Twitter pictures showed workers dismantling a South African billboard featuring Pistorius.
“Nike extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to all families concerned following this tragic incident,” the company said in a statement. “As it is a police matter, Nike will not comment further at this time.”
The company declined to address its business relationship with the Olympian.
Pistorius, the victim of a congenital condition that left him with no fibula bones, had both his legs amputated below the knee before his first birthday.
The South African ran the 400 meters in London using carbon-fiber prostheses, drawing an enormous cheer from the crowds of 80,000. He was hoping to return for the 2016 Summer Games in Rio.
Critics charged that the carbon-fiber legs gave Pistorius an unfair advantage, but he gained clearance to compete against able-bodied athletes.
In addition to the 400 meters, Pistorius ran on South Africa’s 4x400 relay team — and then defended his 400-meter Paralympic title in London.
The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee released a statement of condolence to the Steenkamp family.
“The organization is under no position to comment on the incident other than to say our deepest sympathies and condolences have been expressed to the families of all concerned,” the statement said.
No comments:
Post a Comment