Oscar Pistorius pictured at gun range just months before shooting dead girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

Sky News shows images of Oscar Pistorius firing the pistol he used when he shot his girlfriend, taken months before the killing.

FOOTAGE has emerged of Oscar Pistorius firing several guns, including the one used to shoot Reeva Steenkamp, at a gun range just months before he killed his model girlfriend.

The footage, obtained by Sky News in the UK, shows Pistorius shooting apart a whole watermelon balancing at head height next to a target.


A voice thought to be Pistorius’ then remarks: “It’s not as soft as brains but f*** it is a zombie stopper.”
Pistorius is seen at the gun range with South African Springbok rugby star Francois Hougaard, who was romantically linked to Steenkamp around the time she was dating Pistorius.

Deadly weapon ... Pistorius firing the gun he used to kill Reeva Steenkamp. 

 

Pistorius was a well-known gun enthusiast and regularly went to gun ranges.
The footage also shows several frames of Pistorius firing the silver 9mm pistol he used to shoot dead Ms Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year.

The South African Paralympian will face court on Monday on charges of murder and illegal possession of ammunition.

Pistorius killed Steenkamp at his Pretoria home on February 14 and was charged with premeditated murder, which can carry a sentence of life imprisonment in South Africa with a minimum of 25 years before the chance of parole.

He denies murder and says he shot Steenkamp with his licensed 9mm handgun through a toilet cubicle door by mistake fearing she was a dangerous night-time intruder.

  Valentine’s Day shooting ... Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp pictured in January last year at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg. Picture: Waldo Swiegers

 

Pistorius’ lawyers have been in negotiations with lawyers for Steenkamp’s parents since August last year over an out-of-court settlement, which could involve Pistorius paying Steenkamp’s family about $311,000.

Both sides have declined to comment on the details of any possible settlement after nearly six months of talks because of their sensitive nature — including the amount being considered.

Blade runner ... Pistorius during a training session at Mayesbrook Park Arena in England ahead of the 2012 Paralympic Games. Picture: Chris Radburn