South African ‘Blade Runner’ athlete shoots girlfriend dead

Runner Oscar Pistorius was arrested early on Thursday for allegedly shooting dead his girlfriend after mistaking her for an intruder, media reports said. According to the Beeld newspaper, the athlete known as the "Blade Runner" was arrested early on Thursday following the shooting at his home in an upscale area near the South African capital. Police spokesman Katlego Mogale said a "26-year-old man had been taken into custody for shooting a 30-year-old woman.” Mogale could not confirm if the suspect was Pistorius, saying his identity would be revealed only once he appears in court later on Thursday. "The deceased was shot four times and died on the scene. It is believed that she was the girlfriend of the accused," said Mogale. The shooting took place in a house inside an upmarket security compound in Silverlakes, outside Pretoria, he said. Pistorius lives in the compound. The "Blade Runner" made history in 2012 when he became the first amputee to compete in the Olympics.