The Lexington Police Department have made three arrests in relation to the death of Trinity Gay, the 15-year-old daughter of Olympian track star Tyson Gay.
Dvonta Middlebrooks, 21, and father and son tandem—Chazerae Taylor, 38, and D'Markeo Taylor, 19—were arrested in connection to the fatal shooting of Gay.
Middlebrooks was charged with wanton endangerment and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is believed to have fired multiple shots outside the Cook Out restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky. The Taylors were charged with wanton endangerment for their role in the shooting.
All three suspects were arraigned today in a Kentucky courtroom, where they entered not-guilty pleas. Another man questioned by police has not been charged.
Police responded to Cook Out restaurant located at 855 S. Broadway at around 4 a.m. on Oct. 16 after receiving multiple reports of shots fired in the parking lot. According to witnesses on the scene, two vehicles—a gray Dodge Charger and a dark-colored sports car with tinted windows—exchanged gunfire. Investigators have since recovered the two vehicles seen leaving the scene.
Trinity Gay was not a passenger in either of the cars, but was struck in the neck and taken to an area hospital via a private vehicle. She was then transferred to University of Kentucky Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. It is believed she was not the intended target.
Tyson spoke to local news media outlet LEX 18 about his daughter’s sudden death.
“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,” he told the station.
Gay, who resides in Florida is said to have flown back to Lexington.
Her mother, Shoshana Boyd, told the New York Daily News, that their daughter dreamt of being a surgeon and wanted to be the “fastest woman in the world.”
“She was so innocent, she was so innocent. I just want people to stop shooting and realize who they’re hurting. It’s just random,” said Boyd. “They don’t understand, they don’t understand who they’re hurting. I should never have to bury my child.”
Gay was a rising tar on the track team at Lafayette High School, finishing fourth in the 100-meters and fifth in the 200-meters at the state Class 3A high school track meet in May, according to records compiled by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. She also ran on the girl’s 4x200-meter relay team that finished in fourth place.
Tyson Gay was part of the US 100-meters relay team at the Rio Olympics. He is the joint second-fastest 100 meters runner of all-time with a time of 9.69 seconds, behind Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about the homicide is asked to contact police at (859) 258-3600.
