Olympian Tyson Gay’s 15-Year-Old Daughter Shot Dead In Kentucky [Breaking]
Olympics sprinter Tyson’s Gay 15-year-old daughter, Trinity Gay, has been killed during a shooting at a Kentucky restaurant, according to BBC.
The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning after an exchange of gunfire between a gray Dodge Charger and a dark-colored sports car with tinted windows, according to the Lexington Herald Leader. While the details of the incident are still sketchy, police said that two people have been detained for questioning.
Tyson Gay spoke to Lex18 on Sunday morning and said that he did not know what led to the shooting and the death of his daughter.
“She didn’t make it. I’m so confused. She was just here last week for fall break. It’s so crazy. I have no idea what happened,” he said.
Although officials of the Lexington Police Department have not officially commented on what led to the attacks, they released the following statement on their official website.
“Around 4 a.m. Sunday, October 16, officers responded to the parking lot of the Cook Out restaurant located at 855 S. Broadway in reference to shots fired. Witnesses reported an exchange of gunfire between two vehicles, a gray Dodge Charger and a dark-colored sports car with tinted windows.
A juvenile who was struck at the scene was transported to a hospital by private vehicle and then transferred to UK Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. The victim has been identified by the Fayette County Coroner’s office as 15-year-old Trinity Gay of Lexington.
US Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay's 15-year-old daughter has been killed in a shooting in Kentucky, police sayhttps://t.co/ZQ1z50CnSs pic.twitter.com/g6RbjDijEu
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) October 16, 2016
Sending our thoughts & prayers to @TysonLGay & his loved ones as they mourn the tragic & senseless loss of his daughter, Trinity.
— USATF (@usatf) October 16, 2016
Tyson Gay, a sprinter, has competed in each of the last three Olympics for the United States team. In 2012, he was part of the team that won a silver medal in the 4×100-meter relay at the London Games. However, he was later stripped off of the medal after testing positive for steroids and served a one-year suspension.
His daughter, Trinity, had followed in her father’s footsteps and was an outstanding performer for Lafayette High School, where her father had honed his skills as a track runner in his formative years. Tyson’s daughter was in the school’s track-and-field team and stood fourth in last year’s girls’ 100-meter dash state championship.
Bryan Station Coach Kathy Broadnax remembered Trinity fondly, saying she was a track star in her own right. Being the daughter of an Olympian brought its pressures, he said, but Tyson Gay’s daughter was out of her father’s shadow in no time.
“But the way that she handled herself and the way she stood out as her own person, that was probably the most admirable thing about her. She was his daughter but she left her own mark on track from a very young age. She was up there as seventh and eighth grader competing against seniors in high school. I think anyone in the track community looked at that like ‘Wow, she has that blood. She’s going to be a phenomenal athlete if she just continues to work and put in what she needs to on the track.'”
Chris Hawboldt, editor of MileSplit Kentucky and the former head coach at Tates Creek, said the young girl’s best was yet to come.
“Being the rising star that she was, we hadn’t seen her best yet. She was sweet and obviously a quality athlete, but more importantly she was good for the track-and-field community in Lexington.”
Julian Tackett, commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletics Association, took to Twitter to mourn the loss of Tyson Gay’s daughter.
“Shocked to hear of death of Trinity Gay. A life of such potential cut so tragically short. Sympathies to Tyson and entire family,” he wrote.
Fellow Olympians also took to Twitter to offer their condolences to Gay’s family.
Sad news for a member of our @usatf Family this morning. As you head to church pray for @TysonLGay His daughter was killed last night.
— Lauryn Williams (@LaurynCwilliams) October 16, 2016
Fayette County Schools Superintendent Manny Caulk told WKYT that the entire community is grieving the loss of one of its rising stars.
“Our hearts are broken this morning over the loss of Trinity to this tragic and senseless act of violence. Please join us in keeping the Gay family close in thought and prayer and supporting the students, staff, and families at Lafayette High during this unspeakably difficult time.”
This article will be updated as and when more information about the death of Tyson Gay’s daughter becomes available.
[Featured Image by Patrick Smith/Getty Images]
