In a shocking turn of events that has rocked the reality TV world, Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman's family is facing unimaginable tragedy after his stepson, Gregory Zecca, was arrested for the fatal shooting of his own 13-year-old son Anthony during what authorities describe as a night of reckless behavior involving alcohol, marijuana, and firearms.
The Collier County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday that Gregory faces charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm and using a firearm while under the influence—charges that could carry a life sentence if convicted. The arrest comes after a months-long investigation into the July 19 incident that Sheriff Kevin Rambosk called "a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy."
Gregory Anthony Zecca's mugshot following his arrest for his son's death. Collier County Sheriff's Office/Facebook
According to chilling investigation details released by authorities, Gregory had been drinking alcohol for hours at a local bar before purchasing more drinks and consuming both alcohol and marijuana at a friend's home where he and Anthony had gathered to watch a UFC fight.
The tragedy unfolded when Gregory began practicing drawing his gun from his waistband and "dry-firing" the weapon—a dangerous practice that turned deadly when, according to police, the magazine was reinserted, a round was chambered, and Gregory fired a single shot that killed his son.
"Responding deputies immediately smelled alcohol on Gregory and observed marijuana in plain sight," the sheriff's office statement revealed. Subsequent search warrants for medical records and blood samples showed Gregory's blood-alcohol level was approximately 0.116 during the shooting—well above Florida's legal limit of 0.08.
Duane 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' Chapman with his grandson Anthony Zecca in happier times. Francie Chapman/Instagram
Gregory is the son of Duane Chapman's wife Francie, whom the bounty hunter married in 2021. Shortly after the shooting, a family representative told TMZ that Gregory had been placed on psychiatric hold due to overwhelming grief.
A Chapman family spokesperson shared with TMZ: "We are mourning as a family over this unimaginable tragedy and request continued prayers as we grieve the loss of our dear grandson, Anthony."
Sheriff Rambosk emphasized that this case serves as a stark warning about the "devastating consequences of combining firearms, alcohol, and drugs," adding, "Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this loss."
The investigation, which included witness accounts, forensic analysis, and toxicology reports, concluded that Gregory was impaired by alcohol at the time of the shooting. Rambosk praised detectives for their "dedication and expertise in uncovering the truth in such a challenging case."
