UPDATE | Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — A South African judge today found Oscar Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide in the shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp and declared him not guilty of murder.

Prosecutors said they were disappointed by the ruling but would decide on whether to appeal only after sentencing.

Judge Thokozile Masipa said there was not enough evidence to support the contention that Pistorius knew Steenkamp was behind a locked toilet door in his home when he shot through the door in the predawn hours of Valentine's Day last year. Masipa said prosecutors had not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Pistorius intended to kill her.

The killing by a national sports hero stunned South Africans, and reactions on the verdict were mixed.

"Well I think the verdict is shocking to say the least," said Leonard Gray in Port Elizabeth, Steenkamp's home town. "I think there is clear evidence and indications that he committed murder in this case. ... I feel sorry for Reeva Steenkamp's family because they not going to get any closure because this guy is basically getting away with murder in my opinion."

Shrina Padayachy, also in Port Elizabeth, however, called the judge's verdict "fair and just because it's the prosecution that must prove beyond a reasonable doubt and from what I gather and seen they haven't."

Free again after the judge extended his bail on the same terms, the double-amputee Olympian left the courtroom surrounded by police officers. He must return on Oct. 13 when his sentencing hearing will start, Judge Masipa said. Pistorius and his family didn't immediately comment.