Olympian Tyson Gay Urges For Peace After Daughter's Death
Tyson Gay hopes that his daughter's tragic death will be a lesson to others.
The Olympic runner gave a moving speech at his daughter, Trinity's, funeral at the Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, on Saturday.
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"This is our community that we need to take back," he said, addressing the nearly 1,0000 people gathered to mourn his daughter and only child. "A lot of kids are followers now. We need to be there for each other but I need everyone's help from the mayor to the police to all of you to allow her legacy to keep moving."
Tyson Gay and family were greeted by Lexington Mayor and Chief of Police as they walked into Trinity's visitation around 10:30 at Southland pic.twitter.com/SKULnryP7j
— Evan Gorman (@EGormanWLEX) October 22, 2016
Hundreds of people are filing into @southlandcc to say goodbye to Trinity Gay, a victim of gun violence. Funeral is set to start at noon pic.twitter.com/CJpHjLEeh0
— Evan Gorman (@EGormanWLEX) October 22, 2016
Inside Trinity Gay's celebration of life pic.twitter.com/UeVHz3ds6a
— Evan Gorman (@EGormanWLEX) October 22, 2016
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15-year-old Trinity was shot and killed while out with friends at Lexington's Cook Out restaurant early Sunday morning. A shooting erupted at around 4 a.m. in the restaurant's parking lot. Four men have been arrested in relation to the shooting.
Tyson touched more on the importance of his daughter's legacy in a statement to ET.
"Last Sunday morning, I was awakened by the worst news a parent can hear," he said. "The death of my daughter as an innocent bystander is devastating, but I am determined that it not be senseless. We must come together as a community to protect each other, giving our young people the tools they need to resolve their conflicts and lead successful lives -- the kind that Trinity was well on her way to living."
"In that spirit -- and to follow in the footsteps of those who kept me on the right path as a teenager when I easily could have gone the other way -- in the coming weeks we will be exploring ways to help mentor and support the youth of Lexington over the long term, so that the spirit of Trinity will sprint on long after we say goodbye to her this weekend," he concluded.
A candle-light vigil was held in Trinity's honor on Monday night.
Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay and Shoshana Boyd, mourn the loss of their daughter Trinity Gay during a candlelight vigil. @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/FXCbjjQcPb
— Mark Cornelison (@markcornelison) October 18, 2016
Hundreds gather to remember Lafayette student Trinity Gay at Ishmael Stadium @heraldleader @HLpublicsafety pic.twitter.com/rr3ho2dXXI
— Matt Goins (@MattGoinsHL) October 18, 2016
Tribute to Trinity Gay at Ishmael Stadium where she ran track for Lafayette @heraldleader @HLpublicsafety pic.twitter.com/XUfBwbhL27
— Matt Goins (@MattGoinsHL) October 18, 2016
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