Step-Son of ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ Arrested Six Months After Fatal Shooting of Teenage Son
A profound family tragedy has resurfaced with the arrest of Gregory Zecca, the stepson of renowned American television personality and bounty hunter Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman. Zecca has been taken into custody six months after allegedly shooting and killing his 13-year-old son, Anthony.
Chapman, a familiar face in reality television for his self-titled series that aired from 2004 to 2012, and subsequent shows, found his family embroiled in an “incomprehensible” incident in July of the previous year. At the time, news broke that Zecca, then 38, was involved in the death of his young son, Anthony, an event described as a “tragic accident.”
Zecca is the son of Chapman’s wife, Francie, and her late husband. In the immediate aftermath of the devastating loss, the family revealed that Zecca had been placed on a psychiatric hold due to concerns for his own well-being, fearing he might harm himself.
Now, after a six-month-long investigation, authorities have formally charged Zecca with aggravated manslaughter.
According to police statements, the fatal shooting occurred while Zecca was under the influence of both alcohol and marijuana. The incident unfolded on July 19, 2025, during a UFC watch party hosted at a friend’s apartment in Naples, Florida.
Investigation Details Reveal Alarming Circumstances
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office apprehended Zecca early Tuesday morning, local time. Their extensive investigation concluded that Zecca was allegedly intoxicated by alcohol and marijuana when he discharged the firearm that fatally struck his son.
Police reports indicate that Zecca had been consuming alcohol heavily throughout the day. He later ingested marijuana while he and Anthony were engrossed in watching the UFC fight. During this time, Zecca reportedly brandished his firearm repeatedly in close proximity to his son. This included actions such as “practicing drawing it from his waistband and dry-firing” without a magazine inserted.
However, at a critical juncture, the magazine was reinserted into the firearm. It was then that Zecca “discharged a single shot,” which tragically hit his son.
Upon arriving at the scene, responding officers noted a strong odour of alcohol and observed marijuana laid out “in plain view.” A subsequent test revealed Zecca’s blood alcohol level to be a staggering 0.116, nearly double the legal limit of 0.08 in Florida.
Official Statements Emphasise Preventable Tragedy
Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “This case underscores the devastating tragedy that can result from mixing firearms, alcohol and drugs. Our hearts are with everyone affected by this loss.” He further characterised the event as a “heartbreaking and preventable tragedy.”
Sheriff Rambosk commended his detectives for their “exhaustive and thorough investigation,” which involved examining “every element of what happened through witness statements, forensic testing, subpoenas, search warrants, and more.” He praised their “hard work and professionalism in uncovering the facts in an incredibly difficult case.”
Charges and Potential Consequences
Gregory Zecca faces serious charges, including aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm and using a firearm while under the influence. The aggravated manslaughter charge, in particular, carries the potential penalty of a life prison sentence.
Family’s Perspective Amidst Grief
In the wake of the arrest, Chapman’s attorney released a statement acknowledging the incident as a “devastating family tragedy.” Joseph Lesniak conveyed to TMZ, “We believe Greg loved his son deeply, and that this was a tragic accident — one that has left many lives permanently changed, especially Anthony’s, and Greg’s.”
Duane Chapman married Zecca’s mother, Francie Frane, in 2021. The couple had both recently experienced the loss of their respective partners to cancer. Notably, Zecca had previously been involved with his stepfather’s bounty hunting team, and social media posts indicated he and his son engaged in target practice at gun ranges.
It is important to recall that at the time Zecca was placed on psychiatric hold, his family emphasised that this was due to his being “stricken by grief” and not because he felt guilt for a crime related to the shooting.
This incident adds to a string of difficult events for the Chapman family. Duane Chapman has 13 other children from previous relationships. In September of the previous year, his son Garry Chapman, 24, was briefly suspended from his police force role following his involvement in a high-speed chase that resulted in the death of a 17-year-old boy in Alabama. Garry Chapman was reinstated the following month and subsequently filed a $10 million wrongful termination lawsuit against the Priceville Police Department.
