The life of Trinity Gay, 15, was cut short over the weekend when the daughter of Olympic track star Tyson Gay was struck by a stray bullet in Lexington, Kentucky.
Here are seven things to know about the rising running sensation who had dreams of following in her father’s footsteps on the Olympic track.
1. Trinity was born when Tyson was just 19-years-old:
Born to the track star and his former girlfriend Shoshana Boyd in 1999, Trinity was her parents pride and joy. Following her death, Boyd told The New York Daily News, that having to bury her child was devastating. “She was so innocent. 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.” Gay spoke out on the death of his only daughter, saying, “I’m so confused. She was just here last week for fall break. It’s so crazy. I have no idea what happened.”
2. Trinity was a rising track star at her father’s alma mater:
Attending Lafayette High School just like her dad, Trinity was a sprinter on the rise. The high school student competed in the 2015 100-meter dash state championship and finished in fourth place. Her father enjoyed watching her compete and she enjoyed chasing after his records. In 2012, Gay told CNN, “I’m at a point where I want to be involved in more of her sports,” he said. “It was pretty amazing to watch her run and compete and still keep her spirits up high when she didn’t win. In that sense, I am trying to balance my time so I can watch her career and I can finish up my career.”
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3. Trinity wanted to be a surgeon:
Boyd told the New York Daily News that not only did her daughter have dreams of becoming a surgeon, but she wanted to continue to follow in her father’s footsteps on the track. “She wanted to be the fastest woman in the world, and they took that away from her.”
4. Trinity tweeted just two hours before her death:
Police report that Trinity was struck in the neck by a stray bullet in the parking lot of a Cookout restaurant at approximately 4 a.m. Just 2 hours prior, the teen tweeted that she heard gunshots.
Of course they start shootin 🙄😂
— Trin (@__ailyt) October 16, 2016
5. Tyson and Trinity were close:
Although Gay resided in Florida, he and Trinity had a strong relationship. Before her father competed in the 2016 Olympic trials, Trinity sent out a special tweet in his honor for good luck. She also shared a message in honor of his 34th birthday.
Just wanna wish good luck to my ugly daddy tomorrow in Olympic Trials 💙 love you ! pic.twitter.com/CCBIwPHk81
— Trin (@__ailyt) July 2, 2016
Happy birthday to my daddy/twin 💙💙 love you Tyson 😂 pic.twitter.com/zZ1g21aTjq
— Trin (@__ailyt) August 9, 2016
6. Three men have been charged in the death of Trinity:
At least 2 men whose ages range from 19 to 38 have been arrested in connection to the shooting death of Trinity. Father and son Chazarae Taylor, 38, and D’markeo Taylor, 19, have been charged with wanton endangerment along with Dvonta Middlebrooks, 21. Middlebrooks has also charged with felony possession of a firearm.
7. She may have known the suspects:
According to the Daily Mail, a friend revealed Trinity knew the father and son duo charged in connection with her shooting death. The friend, identified as Princess, said that while she knew the men, she did not recognize them in the parking lot of the restaurant because she wasn’t paying attention.
An investigation continues.