South African Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius, popularly known as the "Blade Runner", was arrested on Thursday after his girlfriend was shot dead at his home in Pretoria, police and domestic media said.
Police refrained from naming 26-year-old Pistorius as the suspect but maintained that a woman had been found dead at the spot in the famous Silver Woods gated community towards the east of the capital.
"We found a 9 millimetre pistol at the scene. A 26-year-old man was taken into custody," police spokeswoman Katlego Mogale said. She averted from divulging any further details.
Johannesburg's Talk Radio 702 said Pistorius was assumed to have shot his girlfriend in the head and arm, even though the situations shrouding the killing were unclear. He may have mistaken her for a thief, the radio report concluded.
Pistorius came to the limelight after he ensured his participation at 2012 London Olympics and attracted a lot of media glare then. The incident has come to light now after the killing took place in Pretoria in just a matter of time. The local police are yet to establish any facts regarding this matter. It has to be seen that how people and fans of The Blade Runner across the world would react to this.
Popular social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook are inundated with messages regarding this unfortunate incident providing worldwide publicity. Perhaps, the double amputee had a clear objective in his mind of making it in the sports world. This incident now might prove to be a great setback for everyone.
A detailed investigation will be launched soon to establish the facts that have led to this killing. There are different voices that have been raised in this regard already. It should be seen now that people would react to this aspect of killing.
Pistorius, who is known for racing with carbon fibre prosthetic blades worn after he was born without a fibula in both legs, was the first double amputee to participate and run in the Olympics and even made it to the 400 metre semifinals in London 2012.
However, things did not go as smooth as the confident sportsman must have anticipated in the Paralympics with Pistorius facing his first loss over 200 metres in nine years. As soon as the race was completed, he sullied his media darling persona by questioning the legitimacy of Brazilian winner Alan Oliveira's prosthetic blades.
The comments ignited controversy though Pistorius was reflexive enough to express his grief, going on to describe 100 metres champion Jonnie Peacock of Britain as a "great Paralympic sprinter".
There is enough mystery and drama to unfold before the actual killer’s identity is established by the investigators. Till then, there will be huge speculation regarding the exact role of Pistorius in the killing and the actual motive behind it.
South Africa has some of the world's highest rates of violent crime and some home-owners carry weapons to defend themselves against intruders.
Pistorius' mobile phone went straight to voicemail on Thursday. There was also no response from his agent.
