Dog The Bounty Hunter’s Stepson Arrested In Son’s Death

The world first came to know Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman as the relentless, charismatic star of reality television. But this week, Chapman’s family was thrust into headlines for a tragic and deeply personal reason: the arrest of his stepson, Gregory Anthony Zecca, in connection with the fatal shooting of Zecca’s own 13-year-old son, Anthony. The incident, which took place more than six months ago, has now resulted in criminal charges that could lead to a life sentence and has left a family—and a nation of onlookers—grappling with the devastating consequences of one fateful night.

According to police reports and multiple news outlets including TMZ, Page Six, and Reality Shrine, Gregory Zecca, 39, was arrested by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office in Florida on February 3, 2026. The charges: aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm and using a firearm while under the influence. The charges stem from a July 19, 2025, incident in Naples, Florida, when Zecca accidentally shot and killed his son, Anthony Zecca, during a UFC fight watch party at a friend’s apartment.

The details of the night are harrowing. Investigators determined that Zecca had been drinking heavily throughout the day, with toxicology reports later revealing a blood alcohol concentration of 0.116—well above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08. In addition to alcohol, Zecca had also consumed marijuana, authorities said. As the evening wore on, Zecca repeatedly handled his firearm in front of his son, practicing drawing it from his waistband and dry-firing it with the magazine removed and the chamber cleared. At some point, however, the magazine was reinserted, a round was chambered, and Zecca discharged a single shot, striking and killing Anthony.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they immediately noticed the strong smell of alcohol and saw marijuana in plain view, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. The evidence painted a grim picture: a combination of substance use, firearms, and a moment’s lapse in judgment that led to an irreversible tragedy.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Zecca was placed on a psychiatric hold. As reported by TMZ and Reality Shrine, family members and authorities were deeply concerned for his mental health, fearing he might attempt to take his own life. A family representative explained that Zecca was “stricken by grief and not because he feels guilty of a crime in relation to the shooting.” The distinction was important to the family, who emphasized the accidental nature of the event, even as the legal process ground forward.

For months, the case remained under investigation. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, conducted what Rambosk described as an “exhaustive and thorough investigation, examining every element of what happened through witness statements, forensic testing, subpoenas, search warrants, and more.” In a statement quoted by several outlets, Sheriff Rambosk said, “This was a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy. Our hearts are with everyone affected by this loss.”

The decision to charge Zecca with aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm and using a firearm while under the influence came after the completion of this meticulous inquiry. The aggravated manslaughter charge alone carries the possibility of a life sentence, underscoring the gravity of the case and the legal peril Zecca now faces. The charges reflect not only the loss of a young life but also the broader societal dangers associated with substance use and firearms.

The tragedy has reverberated through the Chapman family, which has long been in the public eye. Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman and his wife, Francie Frane (Zecca’s mother), issued a statement shortly after Anthony’s death, calling it “an incomprehensible, tragic accident” and asking for prayers and privacy as they mourned. “We are grieving as a family over this incomprehensible, tragic accident and would ask for continued prayers as we grieve the loss of our beloved grandson, Anthony,” they said, as reported by TMZ and Reality Shrine.

Chapman’s attorney, Joseph Lesniak, also spoke to the press, emphasizing the depth of the family’s pain and the belief that Zecca’s actions were not malicious but the result of a tragic mistake. “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,” Lesniak told TMZ.

Background details on Zecca add another layer to the story. A former police officer, he was no stranger to firearms or the responsibilities they entail. Yet, as the investigation revealed, even training and familiarity can be no match for the dangers posed by mixing alcohol, drugs, and guns. Sheriff Rambosk, in his public comments, stressed this point, saying, “This case underscores that devastating tragedy that can result from mixing firearms, alcohol and drugs.”

The facts of the case have ignited conversations about gun safety, substance abuse, and mental health. The combination of alcohol and marijuana, the presence of a child, and the repeated handling of a firearm created a perfect storm. In the words of Sheriff Rambosk, the tragedy was not just heartbreaking, but preventable—a sentiment echoed by many observers and advocates for responsible gun ownership.

As the legal proceedings move forward, the Chapman family continues to navigate the fallout. The loss of Anthony Zecca, described by his family as beloved, has left a void that no court decision can fill. For Gregory Zecca, the prospect of a life sentence looms, adding legal anguish to personal grief. The community of Naples, Florida, and the millions who watched “Dog the Bounty Hunter” over the years, are left to reflect on the fragility of life and the irreversible consequences of a single moment’s mistake.

This case, with its blend of celebrity, tragedy, and legal complexity, serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibilities that come with gun ownership and the unpredictable dangers of substance use. As the story continues to unfold in court, the memory of Anthony Zecca and the lessons of that July night will linger long after the headlines fade.