Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay's daughter shot dead

  • 17/10/2016
Tyson and Trinity Gay (Facebook)
Tyson and Trinity Gay (Facebook)

The 15-year-old daughter of US Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay has been killed after being caught in an exchange of gunfire between two vehicles outside of a Kentucky restaurant.

After the shooting in Lexington at about 4am on Sunday, Trinity Gay was taken in a private vehicle to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead, the Lexington Police Department said in a statement.

Police said they have detained two people for questioning in connection with the incident. A homicide investigation is underway.

"She didn't make it. I'm so confused," 34-year-old Gay said.

"She was just here last week for (autumn) break. It's so crazy."

In 2007, Gay won three gold medals at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan, taking titles in the 100 metre, 200 metre and 4x100m relay.

He set the US record in the 100-metre sprint two years later.

Gay, who made his Olympic debut in 2008, won a silver medal with the 4x100 metres relay team at the 2012 Games in London. But he lost the medal after testing positive for a banned substance in 2013.

Condolences from the track and field world poured in on social media.

"Sending our thoughts and prayers to (Tyson Gay) and his loved ones as they mourn the tragic & senseless loss of his daughter, Trinity," USA Track & Field, the sport's national governing body, wrote on Twitter.

American Olympic hurdler Lolo Jones echoed the sentiment. "Heavy heart today for Tyson Gay and his family," Jones, 34, wrote on Twitter.

"Lord please ease their pain and give them strength during this time."

Trinity was a rising star on the track team at Lafayette High School in Lexington, her father's alma mater.

Reuters