REUTERS
South Africa's Oscar Pistorius was one of the most inspirational athletes in the 2012 London Olympics.
South African track star Oscar Pistorius — who became an Olympic legend by becoming the first person to race on prosthetic legs — was being questioned today by South African police for allegedly shooting his girlfriend dead at his home in Pretoria, according to reports.
Pistorius apparently shot his girlfriend in the head and arm, although the circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear, Johannesburg’s Talk Radio 702 reported. He may have mistaken her for a burglar.
Lt. Col. Katlego Mogale says the woman died at the home.
Officers found a 9-mm pistol at the scene and took the 26-year-old Pistorius into custody. He is expected to appear in court later Thursday.
Pistorius, who races wearing carbon fiber prosthetic blades after he was born without a fibula in both legs, was the first double amputee to run in the Olympics and reached the semifinals of the 400 meters in the 2012 London Games.
Known by the nickname “Blade Runner,” Pistorius was one of the most heart-warming stories of the London Olympics.
South Africa's Sports Confederation and Olympic committee released a statement saying they had been "inundated" with requests for comment, but were not in a position to give out any details of the shooting.
"SASCOC, like the rest of the public, 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," the South African Olympic committee 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."
SACOC said it would be inappropriate to comment because of the ongoing police investigation.
South Africa has some of the world’s highest rates of violent crime and some home-owners carry weapons to defend themselves against intruders.
With AP and Reuters
South African track star Oscar Pistorius questioned in girlfriend's shooting death: reports
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South African track star Oscar Pistorius questioned in girlfriend's shooting death: reports
