Olympian's daughter killed in crossfire

The 15-year-old daughter of U.S. Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay has died after being caught in an exchange of gunfire between two vehicles outside of a Kentucky restaurant, police say.

Tyson Gay at the Rio Olympics. Photo: Getty Images
Tyson Gay at the Rio Olympics. Photo: Getty Images

After the shooting in Lexington about 4am on Sunday (local time), 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 was under way.

"She didn't make it. I'm so confused," Gay told the sports editor with NBC-affiliate Lex 18 television. "She was just here last week for fall break. It's so crazy."

Gay was born in Lexington and lives in a suburb of Orlando, Florida. The 34-year-old could not be reached for further comment.

In 2007, he won three gold medals at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan, taking titles in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. He set the US record in the 100m sprint two years later.

Gay, who made his Olympic debut in 2008, won a silver medal with the 4x100m 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, Sports Illustrated reported.

"Our hearts are broken this morning over the loss of Trinity to this tragic and senseless act of violence," Fayette County Public Schools, which runs the high school, wrote on Twitter.