Gun-loving Olympic hero Oscar Pistorius didn’t think twice about drawing his weapon, and even went into “combat mode” to face off against a loud washing machine, a witness said Monday.
Arms expert Sean Patrick Rens, who has sold guns to Pistorius, recalled an odd 2012 incident when the sprinter became startled by a noise at home.
“He went into what we call ‘code red’ or combat mode,” said Rens, manager of the International Firearm Training Academy in Walkerville, south of Johannesburg. “When he came to the source of the noise, it was the laundry or something.”
Pistorius, a double-amputee dubbed the “Blade Runner,” has previously mentioned the November 2012 incident, tweeting: “Nothing like getting home to hear the washing machine on and thinking its [sic] an intruder to go into full combat recon mode into the pantry!”
Just before Pistorius shot dead girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Feb. 4, 2013, the Olympic sprinter asked Rens to help him buy seven guns, the witness said.
Rens showed the High Court in Pretoria invoices for a semiautomatic rifle, three shotguns, another rifle and two Smith & Wesson handguns. Pistorius had paid $4,500 of the $5,000 order that was canceled after Steenkamp’s killing, according to those invoices.
“He had a great love and enthusiasm for them [guns],” Rens said.
Prosecutors want to show that Pistorius, 27, was well-versed in South African gun laws and still fired on Steenkamp, 29, after a bitter argument.
The defense admits Pistorius fatally shot Steenkamp through his bathroom door, but contend the runner believed he was shooting at an intruder.
Pistorius knew it was illegal to shoot first and ask questions later, even if he believed a burglar was inside his home, Rens testified.
Before Pistorius could buy guns and get them licensed, he had to pass state-mandated tests on firearm safety.
Every time, Pistorius said he was aware of laws that bar lethal force unless the gun owner is confronted by an armed intruder, Rens testified.
“ ‘No, life is not in danger,’ ” Rens said, repeating Pistorius’ oft-repeated answer to various safety questions.
Reeva Steenkamp’s mom, June, was in court Monday. She made brief eye contact with Pistorius and he nodded at her.
Pistorius’ sister, Aimee, went to the grieving mom inside the courtroom and they appeared to have a brief, friendly conversation.
June Steenkamp left court before a police photographer took the witness stand and described his work, taking pictures inside the bloody bathroom.
The case has already destroyed the once-squeaky clean image of Pistorius, who had been an international symbol of achievement over adversity.