In a case that has gripped both the reality television world and the wider public, Gregory Anthony Zecca, the stepson of Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman, has been arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter following the accidental shooting death of his 13-year-old son, Anthony Zecca. The incident, which occurred more than six months ago at a UFC watch party in Naples, Florida, has been described by authorities and family members alike as both heartbreaking and preventable.
According to a detailed report from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the events unfolded on July 19, 2025, inside a family apartment where Zecca and his son Anthony were watching a televised UFC fight. Throughout the day, Zecca, 39, had been drinking heavily and later ingested marijuana, as confirmed by toxicology reports and witness statements. Authorities allege that Zecca repeatedly handled a firearm in Anthony’s presence, practicing drawing it from his waistband and dry-firing it with the magazine removed. However, at some point during the evening, the magazine was reinserted and a live round was chambered. Tragically, Zecca discharged a single shot, fatally striking his son.
When officers arrived at the scene, they were met with a pungent stench of alcohol and observed marijuana laid out in plain view. Zecca’s blood alcohol concentration was recorded at 0.116—nearly twice the legal limit for drivers in Florida. The presence of both alcohol and drugs was a central factor in the subsequent investigation, which Sheriff Kevin Rambosk described as "exhaustive and thorough." According to the sheriff, detectives "examined every element of what happened through witness statements, forensic testing, subpoenas, search warrants, and more." He commended their "hard work and professionalism in uncovering the facts in an incredibly difficult case," as reported by TMZ and other outlets.
The shooting sent shockwaves through the Chapman family. Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman and his wife Francie, Gregory’s mother, released a statement shortly after the tragedy, calling it an "incomprehensible, tragic accident" and asking for prayers and privacy as they grieved. The family’s representative emphasized that Zecca was "stricken by grief and not because he feels guilty of a crime in relation to the shooting," after he was placed on a psychiatric hold following the incident. Concerns had been raised that Zecca, devastated by the loss of his only son, might attempt to take his own life if left unattended. According to the New York Post, it remains unclear when Zecca was discharged from the psychiatric facility.
For months, the investigation into Anthony’s death continued without an arrest. However, on February 4, 2026, Zecca was taken into custody by Collier County officers. He now 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 he is convicted. The case underscores, in the words of Sheriff Rambosk, "that devastating tragedy that can result from mixing firearms, alcohol and drugs. Our hearts are with everyone affected by this loss."
Zecca’s attorney, Joseph Lesniak, issued a statement to TMZ emphasizing the family’s pain: "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." The sentiment was echoed in a joint statement by Dog and Francie Chapman, who said, "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."
The legal developments have brought renewed attention to the dangers of combining firearms with substance use. As reported by Reality Shrine and other outlets, authorities allege that Zecca’s behavior—handling and dry-firing the weapon in Anthony’s presence while under the influence—was a recipe for disaster. The firearm had initially been rendered safe by removing the magazine and clearing a live round, but the decision to reinsert the magazine ultimately proved fatal. "This was a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy," Sheriff Rambosk reiterated, a message that has resonated with many observers and advocates for firearm safety.
For the Chapman family, the loss has been deeply personal and public. Duane Chapman, who rose to fame through his A&E reality series in the early 2000s, has long been a figure whose private life played out in the spotlight. The tragedy involving his stepson and step-grandson has cast a somber shadow over the family’s story, drawing sympathy and concern from fans and the broader community. Francie Chapman, who married Dog in 2021, has also faced the unimaginable pain of losing her grandson in such circumstances.
The community response has been one of shock and sorrow. The story has sparked conversations about responsible gun ownership, the impacts of substance abuse, and the complexities of family grief in the public eye. Sheriff Rambosk and his department have stressed the importance of learning from tragedies like this to prevent future incidents. "Our detectives conducted an exhaustive and thorough investigation, examining every element of what happened," the sheriff said, highlighting the painstaking work that led to Zecca’s arrest.
In the wake of the shooting, mental health professionals and law enforcement worked together to ensure Zecca received immediate care. The psychiatric hold, as reported by TMZ and Reality Shrine, was implemented out of concern for Zecca’s well-being, not as an admission of guilt. The family’s spokesperson clarified, "Greg is stricken by grief and not because he feels guilty of a crime in relation to the shooting." This distinction has been important for the family as they navigate both their private mourning and the public scrutiny that has accompanied the case.
As Zecca awaits trial, the legal process will determine his fate. The aggravated manslaughter charge alone could result in a life sentence, underscoring the gravity of the events of July 19, 2025. For the Chapman family, the tragedy has left a permanent mark, changing the course of their lives forever. The hope, as expressed by both law enforcement and the family, is that others might heed the warnings implicit in this case: that the combination of firearms, alcohol, and drugs can have catastrophic consequences, and that vigilance and responsibility are essential to prevent such losses.
The story of Gregory Zecca and the loss of his son Anthony remains a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the far-reaching effects of a single, tragic mistake. As the family continues to grieve and the legal system moves forward, the lessons from this devastating event linger, urging caution, compassion, and change.