So. “Blade runner” has managed to run into some trouble, since he managed to actually murder his own girlfriend with a 9mm handgun he kept in his apartment. According to the BBC (and others), the athlete may have thought that the girlfriend was a burglar, and simply pulled the trigger first, without asking any questions. Which is generally thought to be a bad idea.
South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been arrested over the fatal shooting of his girlfriend at his home in Pretoria, local media say.
Police said a 26-year-old man, who they have not named, was in custody and a case of murder was being investigated.
The precise circumstances surrounding the incident are unclear. Reports say he may have mistaken her for a burglar.
Pistorius managed to shoot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, who was a model, four times, in the arm and in the head, though the precise order of the shots is unknown.
Pistorius was arrested on Thursday morning following the shooting and is expected in court later.
The 26-year-old is alleged to have shot his 30-year-old model girlfriend from Port Elizabeth in the head and upper body.
Paramedics were called to his home between 4am and 5am local time by a third person at the house.
Police arrived shortly afterwards and a 9mm pistol was recovered from the scene. They have launched a murder investigation.
So. There are two people in the house, a third one enters, and the third person is immediately shot four times without neither of the two already there seeing that it is not, in fact, a burglar, but the home owner’s girlfriend.
Runner’s World magazine editor Mike Finch, speaking from South Africa, told Sky News: “If anybody can overcome this sort of thing it’s probably Oscar.
“He’s had to deal with a lot in his life. He had a mother that died when he was very young, he obviously has his disability, but yet he’s been amazing from a South African perspective as an ambassador.
“There is a certain school of people that don’t particularly like him, but I think today everybody has kind of rallied round him.”
Here’s an idea; why don’t we all rally around the innocent victim of a wrongful shooting, the murder victim, the girl who was going over to surprise her boyfriend for Valentine’s Day, and her parents, relatives and friends. It seems like a better thing to do than to support the guy who shoots his “loved” ones in the face. Just a thought.
Security is one thing, and in South Africa, about 13% of people own guns in order to protect themselves from crime. We do, generally, approve of owning guns, but that comes with a whole boatload of responsibility. Responsibility to store the gun properly, responsibility for learning how to use the gun properly, responsibility for keeping up your skill in using it, and knowing how not to abuse it. It also comes with a heavy responsibility to not use it unless it’s absolutely, verifiably, the last and only means of protection for yourself and/or others. Pistorius has obviously broken every one of the rules when it comes to gun safety, and the right way to use a gun.
And Reeva Steenkamp has paid for it. Do not “rally around” this man.
We use cookies to enhance your experience while using our website. If you are using our Services via a browser you can restrict, block or remove cookies through your web browser settings. We also use content and scripts from third parties that may use tracking technologies. You can selectively provide your consent below to allow such third party embeds. For complete information about the cookies we use, data we collect and how we process them, please check our Privacy Policy
