Charged ... Oscar Pistorius leaving the Boschkop police station, east of Pretoria this morning
Published: 5 hrs ago
HISTORY-MAKING Olympian Oscar Pistorius has been charged with murder after reportedly shooting his girlfriend dead having mistakenly thought she was a burglar.
The 26-year-old South African — the first Paralympian to appear at the Olympics — is accused of shooting Reeva Steenkamp, 30, in the head, chest and arm at 4am (2am UK time) today.
There were suggestions that model Steenkamp was gunned down as she attempted to play a Valentine’s Day surprise on her athlete lover.
But police said there had been previous incidents at the address described as “allegations of a domestic nature”. Brigadier Denise Beukes said police were “very surprised” by the burglar suggestion.
Paralympic hero ... Oscar Pistorius
FHM model ... Reeva Steenkamp
Getty Images
Dressed in a grey hooded jacket, tracksuit trousers and trainers, Pistorius walked with head bowed from the Boschkop police station this morning, before he was taken to Pretoria’s Mamelodi Day Hospital in a police convoy.
He will not appear before a court today as originally expected and will remain in custody over night.
A police spokeswoman added that police will oppose bail "based on the evidence that is currently being gathered."
Pistorius is known as the Blade Runner because of the ground-breaking prosthetics he uses for racing.
He made history at London 2012 when he became the first amputee sprinter to compete in the Olympics, running in the 400m and 4x400m relay.
The Johannesburg-born athlete was born without fibulas in his legs and had the limbs amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old.
According to Talk Radio 702 host Kribani Pillay in Johannesburg, Pistorius told police that he thought the woman was an intruder.
Groundbreaker ... Pistorius is known as the Blade Runner
Crime scene ... Pistorius's extensive bachelor pad inside its gated housing complex in Pretoria
The area around Pistorius’ home was “teeming” with emergency services, media and onlookers, Miss Pillay added.
A 9mm pistol was recovered. According to unconfirmed reports four shots were fired.
A police spokesperson described Pistorius as "traumatised after losing someone close to him".
Yesterday, Miss Steenkamp fatefully posted a tweet about Valentine's Day, writing: "What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow???"
The last tweet she posted on her Twitter account read "I'm there like a bear!!! Yayyyy!!!! X" after a friend invited her round for afternoon tea and cupcakes.
PARALYMPIC and Olympic athlete known as the 'blade runner' held after girlfriend shot dead
Arrest ... a police vehicle enters the housing estate where Pistorius lives in Pretoria
Tweet ... Miss Steenkamp posted this message on her Twitter account yesterday
Police spokesman Katlego Mogale said: “Paramedics declared the woman dead on the scene and police proceeded with their investigation.
“The woman sustained wounds to her head and the upper body.”
He said police were called following a shooting at a townhouse complex in the Silverlakes district, adding: "When police arrived they found the paramedics attending to the woman.
"The paramedics declared the woman dead on the scene and police proceeded with their investigation of the scene."
The woman’s body has reportedly been removed from the scene. Pistorius has since undergone blood, alcohol and forensic tests.
In an interview last summer, it was revealed that Pistorius slept with a revolver and machine gun in his bedroom at the bachelor pad, as well as a baseball bat and cricket bat.
SOUTH AFRICAN police charge paralympic and olympic athlete with murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
Romance ... Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp in Johannesburg last November
After being held at the Boschkop police station, Pistorius was taken by high-speed convoy for a medical examination at the Mamelodi Day Clinic on the eastern outskirts of Pretoria, according to local reports.
There, hospital staff took blood samples, tested under nails and looked for scratches and bruises, a police spokeswoman said.
Outside his home, Miss Steenkamp’s friend Mashadi Motsogi broke down in tears and revealed she only heard the tragic news via Twitter.
She said: “It was only on my way to campus when I saw journalists come in front of the estate, when I realised that it might be true, that she might be dead.
"I know Oscar stays here. When I called here, he did not reply. He did not answer my call.”
She described Miss Steenkamp as a “friendly person, always willing to help other people” and said she looked to the model for advice.
“I have lost a friend,” she said, telling reporters Miss Steenkamp’s death In a secure complex did not make sense.
“Look, security here is safe. We moved to this area for security reasons. It does not make sense to me that my friend was shot, mistaken for an intruder.”
Model ... Reeva Steenkamp on the front cover of FHM
Entertainment show Tropika Island of Treasure, which stars Miss Steenkamp and was due to be broadcast this weekend, has posted a tribute to her on its website.
It said: “We are deeply saddened and extend our condolences to Reeva’s family and friends.”
Miss Steenkamp grew up in Port Elizabeth, where she studied law, but later moved to Johannesburg after signing a deal with cosmetics company Avon.
She went on to model for FHM and feature in various advertising campaigns.
The Cape Town-born model described herself as someone who has "a passion for cars and cooking and prefers to read a book on her off days and spend quality time with friends and family".
Her former headmaster Greg Stokell described her as popular a "vibrant, friendly, diligent, and motivated student who was popular with and respected by staff and peers alike."
He added: "The St Dominic's Priory school community in Port Elizabeth is both shocked and saddened by Reeva Steenkamp's sudden and tragic death."
Murder charge ... Pistorius will appear in court later today
Olympics ... Pistorius with Prime Minister David Cameron and 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe
Steenkamp's modelling agency said: "Everyone at Ice Model Management and Ice Genetics is absolutely shocked and devastated by the news.
"Reeva has been with the Ice family for some seven years now and she was a wonderful, beautiful, and caring soul and will be missed immensely.
"It is indeed a very sad day for all those that loved and treasured her, our hearts are broken.
"Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with her family and friends."
Fateful ... Reeva yesterday expressed excitement about Valentine’s Day
Facebook
Reeva Steenkamp's PR agency, Capacity Relations, said family, friends and colleagues were "simply devastated" in the wake of Miss Steenkamp's death.
Their statement added: "Our thoughts and prayers go to the Steenkamp family, who have asked to have their privacy respected during this difficult time.
"Everyone is simply devastated. She was the kindest, sweetest human being; an angel on earth and will be sorely missed."
London 2012 ... Pistorius competes last summer
Earlier today, Pistorius's father said his son is "sad" following the death of his girlfriend Miss Steenkamp.
Speaking to SABC radio, Henke Pistorius said he knows "nothing" about the fatal shooting incident which has seen his son charged with murder.
He said: "It will be extremely obnoxious and rude to speculate. I don't know the facts.
"If anyone makes a statement, it will have to be Oscar. He's sad at the moment."
On Facebook, Miss Steenkamp's cousin Deon Steenkamp wrote: "RIP cuz this is tragic we will always remember you for your stuning smile brighting up everyone world."
Champ ... the 26-year-old South African was the first Paralympian to appear at the Olympics
Respected ... Pistorius is known as the Blade Runner because of his ground-breaking prosthetics
And former Miss South Africa Melinda Bam said: "Heartbroken for #ReevaSteenkamp's family & for #OscarPistorius.This highlights how unsafe most South Africans feel because of crime#RIPReeva."
South Africa has some of the highest rates for violent crime in the world, with an average of nearly 50 people murdered each day. There are also high levels of assault, rape, robbery and carjackings.
According to United Nations research, South Africa has one of the highest firearm-related homicide rates in the world, four times higher than the US and second only to Colombia at the time.
Star ... Pistorius in his Pretoria home last August
Matthew Tabaccos / Barcroft Media
The country is awash with almost six million civilian firearms, with 12.7 out of 100 people in South Africa owning a gun.
In 2008-2009, there were 18,148 murders in South Africa, compared with 662 murders in the UK. On top of this there are also an alleged 18,000 attempted murders each year.
Miss Steenkamp's publicist Sarit Tomlinson said the family was "shocked" and "devastated" by the news.
She described Miss Steenkamp as "the sweetest human being" and "a talented and bright young girl", adding that the couple had a "healthy, fabulous relationship".
She was from a family of horse trainers, who she said she was very proud of. Her father was Barry Steenkamp, well-known horse trainer related to famous South African trainers the Amos brothers.
The Silver Woods Country Estate where Pistorius lived is described as “36 hectares of prime real estate” and “far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city”.
The development is supposed to be one of the safest in the country, protected with electrified fences, armed 24-hour security guards and manned controlled access.
Champ ... Pistorius after winning the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability
Located in the east of the country’s capital Pretoria, the estate consists of more than 1,600 plots of land built around an 18-hole golf course.
Prices for homes can be up to nine million South African rand (£650,000) for a five-bedroom property.
As well as its golf course, Silver Lakes estate has tennis courts, a driving range, restaurant, squash club, gym, wildlife reserve, day care centre and a fishing club, as well as a “social responsibility committee”.
Silver Woods Country Estate issued a statement today, saying: "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."
The International Paralympic Committee said in a statement: "Following the news of the alleged shooting incident involving South African athlete Oscar Pistorius this morning, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will not be passing any comment on the case at this time.
Model ... Miss Steenkamp was described as 'the sweetest human being'
"This is a police matter, with a formal investigation currently underway. Therefore it would be inappropriate for the IPC to comment on this incident until the official police process has concluded.
"The IPC would like to offer its deepest sympathy and condolences to all families involved in this case."
Olympian Jessica Ennis spoke of her shock on Twitter, describing the “the horrendous news” as “an awful tragedy”.
Athelete legend Denise Lewis added: “Not a good morning athletics fans - News reports on Oscar Pistorius are unbelievable”.
Just three days ago, Pistorius tweeted about his excitement regarding his first race of 2013, accompanied by a photograph of him in action.
He said: “1 month till my first race of 2013.. Can’t wait to burn it up!”
Celebrated ... Pistorius receives an Honorary Doctorate at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow
Hero ... former South African President Nelson Mandela with Pistorius
REX
On Pistorius’s website, a quote from Lord Coe before London 2012 hails him as a “real inspiration to people around the world” with a Nike spokesman describes time with Pistorius as “some of the most inspirational time we’ve ever spent around an athlete”.
Lord Coe said: “Oscar is an extraordinary athlete who has made a significant impact in international sport.
“It will be fantastic to see him compete in London this summer – spectators can expect a real treat!
“He’s been a real inspiration to people around the world so we were thrilled when he decided to join our International Inspiration programme as an ambassador, helping us to inspire young people worldwide.”
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4794837/Oscar-Pistorius-held-for-shooting-girlfriend.html#ixzz2KsXW86sL
No comments:
Post a Comment