US world champion sprinter Emmit King shot dead

Former American sprinter Emmit King has tragically passed away in hospital after a shooting last Sunday.

King and Willie Wells, 60, both lost their lives by gunshot during an argument outside of a home in Bessemer, Alabama.

Eyewitnesses told NBC News that the pair were involved in an argument when they both pulled guns and fired at one another. Wells lost his life at the scene, whereas King was taken to hospital and died shortly after.

King was a member of two Olympic teams with the United States. He claimed bronze at the Helsinki world championships in 1983, behind countrymen Calvin Smith and Carl Lewis in an American sweep.

He was part of the 1984 and 1988 Olympic teams, though didn't compete at either Games.

The investigation into the deaths is still ongoing and no information is currently known about the argument the two men were involved in.