The stepson of Duane 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' Chapman has been arrested and charged more than six months after the fatal shooting of his 13-year-old son in what authorities describe as a preventable tragedy involving firearms, alcohol, and marijuana.
Arrest Follows Six-Month Investigation
Gregory Zecca, 38, was taken into custody by the Collier County Sheriff's Office in Naples, Florida, early on Tuesday local time. This arrest concludes a lengthy investigation into the death of his son, Anthony, which occurred on July 19, 2025, during a UFC watch party at a friend's apartment.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Police allege that Zecca was heavily intoxicated throughout the day, with a blood alcohol level of 0.116, nearly double Florida's legal limit. He also ingested marijuana while watching the fight with his son. During the event, Zecca reportedly brandished his firearm multiple times, including practicing drawing it and dry-firing without a magazine. At some point, the magazine was reinserted, leading to a single shot that fatally struck Anthony.
Upon responding to the scene, officers noted a strong smell of alcohol and marijuana in plain view. The investigation involved witness statements, forensic testing, subpoenas, and search warrants, with Sheriff Kevin Rambosk stating, 'This was a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy.' He emphasised the dangers of mixing firearms with substances, offering condolences to all affected.
Charges and Legal Implications
Zecca faces charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm and using a firearm while under the influence. The aggravated manslaughter charge could result in a life prison sentence if convicted. In a statement, Chapman's attorney, Joseph Lesniak, described the incident as a 'devastating family tragedy,' noting that Zecca loved his son deeply and that it was a tragic accident that has permanently altered many lives.
Family Background and Previous Incidents
Zecca is the son of Chapman's wife, Francie Frane, whom Chapman married in 2021 after both lost their previous partners to cancer. Zecca had joined his stepfather's bounty team and shared social media posts of himself and his son practicing at gun ranges. Following the shooting, the family placed Zecca on psychiatric hold due to grief, not guilt over the crime.
This is not the first legal issue in Chapman's family. In September last year, his son Garry Chapman, 24, was briefly fired from the police force for involvement in a high-speed chase that killed a teenager in Alabama, though he was reinstated and filed a wrongful termination lawsuit.
Chapman, a well-known television personality from his self-titled series that aired from 2004 to 2012, has 13 other children from previous relationships. The case continues to unfold as legal proceedings advance, highlighting the severe consequences of irresponsible firearm handling.
