Pistorius 'numb with shock' after shooting death of girlfriend: Uncle

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) - Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius is "numb with shock, as well as grief" after the shooting death of his model girlfriend at his home in South Africa, the runner's uncle said on Saturday, as his family "strongly refutes" charges that he planned to kill her.

Mr Arnold Pistorius spoke with The Associated Press and two other South African journalists about his nephew's arrest in the killing of Ms Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot four times on the morning of Valentine's Day.

His statement, the first on camera and directly made in person by the athlete's family, also came out strongly against prosecutors seeking to upgrade the charge to one of premeditated murder, which carries a sentence of life in prison.

"After consulting with legal representatives, we deeply regret the allegation of premeditated murder," his uncle said.