"Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius Charged With Murder in Shooting Death of Girlfriend

Oscar Pistorius, the South African sprinter who stole the world's hearts by becoming the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics, has been charged with murder after he allegedly shot a woman at his home in Pretoria, South Africa, on Thursday.Per Reuters, the woman, a 30-year-old model identified as Reeva Steenkamp, was believed to be the 26-year-old athlete's girlfriend, and Pistorius purportedly mistook her for an intruder when he allegedly opened fire, according to local news outlets.Local police responded to a report of gunshots at Pistorius' home early Thursday morning, and upon arriving, paramedics discovered that the victim had been shot several times. She was subsequently pronounced dead.

Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius trades race bibs with Kirani James

Pistorius was taken into custody, and he is scheduled to appear in court later today."A case of murder has been opened," police spokeswoman Col. Katlego Mogale told reporters. "Currently the investigators and the forensic people are on the scene."Pistorius, a Paralympic champ who had earned the affectionate nickname "Blade Runner," competed in the 4x400 meter relay and 400-meter semifinal at the 2012 London Olympics. At the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, he won two gold medals and a silver.