Olympian Pistorius to Face Murder Charges

South African runner, Oscar Pistorius, is being held by police after his girlfriend was shot dead at his house in Pretoria. WSJ's Devon Maylie brings us up-to-date with the latest on the double-amputee Olympic athlete. Photo: Getty Images

Double-amputee Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius will appear in court on Friday to face charges he shot and killed his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, at his Pretoria home early Thursday.

Mr. Pistorius is due to appear at Pretoria's Magistrate Court Friday on a murder charge, an official there said. A police spokeswoman confirmed the Friday court appearance and said previous domestic complaints will be part of the case.

Mr. Pistorius's alleged connection to the shooting opens a dark personal chapter for one of the sporting world's most celebrated athletes. His racing at elite levels on artificial limbs earned him popularity among track fans and corporate sponsors�and the nickname "Blade Runner."

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South Africa's Oscar Pistorius, here at the London 2012 Olympics, was involved in a deadly shooting at his home Thursday, police said.

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Born without fibulas in both legs, South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius blazed a trail as a Paralympic athlete before taking part in the able-bodied Olympics in London last year. A look back at his eventful career.

Police said they arrived at his Pretoria home early Thursday to find a 30-year-old woman fatally shot, adding that they found a 9mm pistol at the scene and are carrying out ballistic tests on the weapon.

Police spokeswoman Lt. Col. Katlego Mogale said police responded to an emergency call from a neighbor who heard shouting at the home.

Local media camped outside said police had been at the site and left with someone under arrest.

Another police spokeswoman, Denise Beukes, said there had been previous incidents of a "domestic nature" at the home.

A spokeswoman for Ms. Steenkamp said she died early Thursday.

"We are in communication with people on the scene�there is too much speculation at this moment in time," said Robyn David, of Capacity Relations, on behalf of Ms. Steenkamp's family.

"She was the kindest, sweetest human being; an angel on earth who will be sorely missed," said Ms. David.

On Sunday, possibly in response to a national debate about the prevalence of rape in South Africa following the gang rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl this month, Ms. Steenkamp tweeted, "I woke up in a happy safe home this morning. Not everyone did. Speak out against the rape of individuals�"

The last message on Ms. Steenkamp's Twitter feed appeared late Wednesday evening, part of a conversation about a gathering she said she would attend Thursday.

The feed included a message from earlier in the day, sent to Ms. Steenkamp's 6,500 followers: "What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow??? #getexcited #ValentinesDAy."

On Feb. 1, a tweet accompanying a picture of Mr. Pistorius read: "He certainly doesn't need more followers but he's beautiful to look at & says some smart stuff too ;). @OscarPistorius."