Daughter of Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay killed in shooting

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The 15-year-old daughter of Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay was fatally shot in the neck, authorities and the athlete's agent said Sunday, and police have arrested three men in connection with the shooting.

Trinity Gay died at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, the coroner's office for Fayette County said in a statement. The athlete's agent, Mark Wetmore, confirmed in a text message to The Associated Press that Gay's daughter had died.

The three men charged in connection with the shooting pleaded not guilty Monday and face an Oct. 25 court date. The three appeared via video before Fayette County, Kentucky, District Court Judge T. Bruce Bell, who will assign attorneys for them.

Bell set bail at $5,000 each for Chazerae Taylor, 38, and his son, D'Markeo Taylor, 19, on wanton endangerment charges. Dvonta Middlebrooks, 21, is charged with wanton endangerment and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. His bail was set at $12,500.

Tyson Gay said he and his daughter were very close, according to Lexington TV station WLEX, which spoke to him Sunday.

"It's so crazy. I have no idea what happened," Gay told the station.

Lexington police said in a statement that officers went to the parking lot of a restaurant near the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington about 4 a.m. Sunday after witnesses reported an exchange of gunfire between two vehicles. Police say they have found the two vehicles involved.

Police spokeswoman Brenna Angel said police don't believe Trinity Gay was in either of the vehicles involved.

Tyson Gay competed in the last three Summer Olympics. He was part of a team that won a silver medal in the 4x100-meter relay at the 2012 London Games, though that medal was ultimately stripped after Gay tested positive for steroids in 2013.

This summer's Games in Rio de Janeiro featured another stinging disappointment for Gay, 33, who has battled injuries. He was a member of the American men's 4x100-meter relay team that finished third in the final before being disqualified for an illegal baton exchange between Mike Rodgers and Justin Gatlin. The team's appeal was denied, giving Canada the bronze medal.

Trinity Gay was a sprinter at Lafayette High Schoolin Lexington and finished fourth in the 100 meters and fifth in the 200 meters at the state Class 3A high school track meet in May, records show. She also ran on a 4x200 relay team that finished fourth. Her father, who also ran track at Lafayette, still holds the state record in the 100, set in 2001.

"Our hearts are broken this morning over the loss of Trinity to this tragic and senseless act of violence," Fayette County Public Schools superintendent Manny Caulk said in a statement. "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."

Grief counselors will be at Lafayette High on Monday for students and staff, Fayette school spokeswoman Lisa Deffendall added in an email.

The police statement didn't identify Trinity Gay by name, saying a juvenile who was struck at the scene was taken by private vehicle to the UK Hospital and later pronounced dead.

Many turned to Twitter to express grief and wish their condolences to Gay's friends and family.

Kentucky High School Athletic Association commissioner Julian Tackett tweeted that he was stunned: "Shocked to hear of death of Trinity Gay. A life of such potential cut so tragically short. Sympathies to Tyson and entire family."