Olympian Tyson Gay Speaks at Emotional Vigil for His Slain Daughter

— -- Friends and family gathered at an emotional candlelight vigil in Lexington, Kentucky, on Monday night for Trinity Gay, the 15-year-old daughter of Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay.

Trinity Gay was fatally shot in a Lexington, Kentucky, parking lot around 4 a.m. Sunday during an exchange of gunfire between two cars, police said. The teen wasn't in either car, police said.

Her father, who has competed in the past three summer Olympics, spoke at his daughter's vigil at Lafayette High School -- the school they both attended.

The Olympian addressed a crowd of thousands from the school track, thanking them for their support and advocating for the end of "senseless" violence.

"I don't want to read in the paper next week about another senseless killing," Tyson Gay said, according to ABC affiliate WTVQ in Lexington. "It has to stop."

This was the first time Tyson Gay spoke publicly since his daughter's death, according to WTVQ.

He said his daughter would have wanted others to "protect each other, no matter what."

"She was a happy girl all the time," he said.

Trinity Gay became an accomplished high school sprinter herself and placed in several events at the Kentucky state championship in May, according to The Associated Press.

At her vigil, pairs of track spikes hung from a fence.

Some mourners wore pink and purple, the slain teen's favorite colors, and pink and purple balloons were released into the air.

Three men have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting, authorities said.

Dvonta Middlebrooks, 21, was charged with wanton endangerment and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was in the parking lot and fired multiple shots, according to his arrest records.

Chazerae Taylor, 38, and his son, D'markeo Taylor, 19, were both charged with wanton endangerment. The AP, citing court documents, reported that Chazerae Taylor and D'markeo Taylor admitted to firing shots.

All three have pleaded not guilty.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.