Trinity Gay – the daughter of American Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay – has died after she was shot in the neck during a carpark shoot-out in Lexington, Kentucky in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The 15-year-old was caught in the crossfire of a two-car shooting out the front of Cook Out restaurant at 4am. She was taken to a nearby hospital, before being transferred to University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, where she later died at 4:41am.
In the wake of this teen, who aspired to become a surgeon as well as compete at the Olympics just like her father – tragically passing away, her mother and father have both publicly shared their confusion and grief.
In particular, her mother, Shoshana Boyd’s tearful response to her daughter’s death highlights the devastating consequences gun violence can have on people.
“She was so innocent,” Ms Boyd told the New York Dail News. “I just want people to stop shooting and realize who they’re hurting.”
“It’s just random. They don’t understand. They don’t understand who they’re hurting.”
Trinity’s father, 34-year-old Gay, reiterated Ms Boyd’s despair, telling WLEX: “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.”
“She was just here last week for fall break,” he continues. “It’s so crazy. I have no idea what happened.”
Eerily, just two hours before she was shot, Trinity tweeted: “Of course they start shootin [sic].”
Since learning of her death, Twitter has been flooded with condolences, from friends, family and strangers alike.
Police have said that one man has been arrested in connection with the shooting, while another was questioned before being released.
Our deepest sympathies go out to everyone who has been affected by this heart-breaking turn of events.
