The fifteen-year-old daughter of Tyson Gay, the American track star, was killed on Sunday in a shooting at a Kentucky restaurant.
Trinity Gay was herself a promising sprinter. She was shot in the neck around 4 am local time on Sunday morning when two passing cars exchanged gunfire outside of a Cook Out restaurant in Lexington.
Police do not believe she was in either of the vehicles, one of which was subsequently located by police. She was reportedly struck by a stray bullet.
Tyson Gay confirmed that his daughter “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 told Lex18, the local NBC affiliate.
Police were still searching for the other vehicle allegedly involved in the shooting.
Shoshana Boyd, Trinity’s mother, said she had two goals- to become a surgeon, and to be the fastest woman in the world.
“She was so innocent, she was so innocent,” Ms Boyd told the New York Daily News.
Tyson Gay is separated from Boyd and lives in Florida.
Only Usain Bolt has run the 100 meters faster than his time of 9.69 seconds, set in 2009.
Gay represented the US in Rio in the 4×100 meter relay.
Julian Tackett, commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, said he was stunned by the news.
“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 on Twitter.
USA Track and Field also shared condolences: “Sending our thoughts and prayers to Tyson Gay and his loved ones as they mourn the tragic and senseless loss of his daughter, Trinity.”