Oscar Pistorius Charged with Murder

[Content Note: Gun violence; domestic violence.]

Oscar Pistorius, whose career I've followed with interest and about whom I've written previously, was charged today with the murder of Reeva Steenkamp, who was dating Pistorius.

Paralympic superstar Oscar Pistorius was charged Thursday with the murder of his girlfriend who was shot inside his home in South Africa, a stunning development in the life of a national hero known as the Blade Runner for his high-tech artificial legs.

Reeva Steenkamp, a model who spoke out on Twitter against rape and abuse of women, was shot four times in the predawn hours in the house, in a gated community in the capital, Pretoria, police said.

...South Africans were shocked at the killing. But while Pistorius captured the nation's attention with his Olympic quest, police said there was a recent history of problems involving him. Police spokeswoman Brigadier Denise Beukes said the incidents included "allegations of a domestic nature."

"I'm not going to elaborate on it but there have been incidents (at Pistorius' home)," Beukes said. Police in South Africa do not name suspects in crimes until they have appeared in court but Beukes said that the 26-year-old Pistorius was at his home at the time of the death of Steenkamp and "there is no other suspect involved."

Elsewhere, via Jess, there was speculation before the arrest that Pistorius may have mistaken Steenkamp for an intruder, but that does not appear to be the case.

My sincerest condolences to Steenkamp's family, friends, and colleagues. And my profound sympathy for the metric fuckton of apologia and victim-blaming which they will probably be obliged to navigate because their loved one was killed by a famous and admired man.