Three men have been charged in the death of Trinity Gay (left), the 15-year-old daughter of US sprinter Tyson Gay. Picture: Mark Maloney/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP

Trinity Gay died at a Lexington, Kentucky, hospital on Sunday after she was shot in the neck about 4am during an exchange of gunfire between people in two parked vehicles in the car park of a nearby Cook Out restaurant.

Dvonta Middlebrooks, 21, fired multiple shots during the incident, investigators said on Sunday.

He was charged with wanton endangerment and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

A father and son — Chazerae Taylor, 38, and 19-year-old son D’Markeo Taylor — were charged with endangerment counts. Court records show the Taylors admitted also firing shots.

Tyson Gay’s daughter Trinty was fatally shot in the neck. Picture: TwitterSource:Supplied

The three men appeared before District Court Judge T Bruce Bell via video link on Monday, where they pleaded not guilty. They face court on October 25.

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

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

“It’s so crazy. I have no idea what happened,” Gay told the station.

Grief counsellors will be at Lexington’s Lafayette High School on Monday for students and staff, Fayette County Public Schools spokeswoman Lisa Deffendall said. Both Gay and his daughter attended the school.

Father Chazerae Taylor, 38, was charged with wanton endangerment. Picture: Lexington Police Department via APSource:AP

D’Markeo Taylor, 19, faces wanton endangerment count. Picture: Lexington Police Department via APSource:AP

Dvonta Middlebrooks was charged with wanton endangerment and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Picture: Lexington Police Department via APSource:AP

Trinity Gay was a standout sprinter, placing in the top five in several events at the state championships in May. Her father still holds the state record in the 100 set in 2001.

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

Trinity Gay, the 15-year old daughter of Olympian Tyson Gay, was shot dead in the parking lot of the restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky. Picture: AP Photo/Timothy D. EasleySource:AP

The Games in Rio featured another stinging disappointment for Gay, 33, who has battled injuries. He was a member of the American men’s 4x100-metre relay team that finished third in the final before being disqualified for an illegal baton exchange between Mike Rodgers and Justin Gatlin. The sports world has been mourning the news of the death on social media. USA Track and Field tweeted, “Sending our thoughts & prayers to (at)TysonLGay & his loved ones as they mourn the tragic & senseless loss of his daughter, Trinity.”

Several of Gay’s USA track teammates echoed the comment, including Natasha Hastings and Arman Hall.

Former NFL wide receiver Santonio Holmes, NBA veteran Vince Carter and tennis great Martina Navratilova have also tweeted messages of support.

Tyson Gay’s daughter has been shot dead. Picture: AFP/Olivier MorinSource:AFP