Dog The Bounty Hunter's Stepson Arrested For The Shooting Death Of His Own Son
Dog the Bounty Hunter's step-grandson died in a shooting last July. Six months later, the boy's father got arrested.
The Collier County Sheriff's Office in Naples, Florida arrested 39-year-old Gregory Anthony Zecca on February 3. He was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm and using a firearm while under the influence. The manslaughter charge could mean life in prison.
Zecca's 13-year-old son Anthony died on July 19, 2025. Duane "Dog" Chapman married Zecca's mother, Francie Chapman, in 2021. So, Anthony was Dog's step-grandson.
The Lawyers Weighed In
Zecca's defense attorney Donald Day said, "This case is very difficult for the entire family and we will work within the framework of the criminal justice system for a successful resolution."
Joseph Lesniak, a lawyer for the Chapmans, put out a statement February 3:
This remains a devastating family tragedy. 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 Chapmans continue to grieve Anthony's loss and ask for privacy and compassion for everyone affected. We respect the ongoing investigation by the Collier County Sheriff's Office and the court process, and we will not litigate this matter in the media."
What the Sheriff's Office Says Happened
Gregory Zecca drank alcohol for several hours at a local bar, then bought more alcohol. He then used alcohol and marijuana at a friend's house.
While drunk and high, Zecca repeatedly handled a firearm in front of his 13-year-old son. Practicing drawing it from his waistband. Dry-firing it—pulling the trigger on an unloaded gun to simulate firing. Supposedly, the gun had been made safe by removing the magazine, with the live round cleared from the chamber.
At some point, however, the magazine got reinserted and a round chambered. Then, Zecca discharged a single shot that allegedly killed Anthony.
A toxicologist concluded Zecca was impaired by alcohol. His blood-alcohol concentration was approximately 0.116 during the shooting. Nearly twice the legal limit to drive.
Why Did the Arrest Take Six Months?
Anthony Zecca died on July 19, 2025. His father got arrested on February 3, 2026. That's more than six months later.
The sheriff's office hasn't explained the delay. Neither have the lawyers.
Investigations like this usually take time. Toxicology reports. Autopsy results. Forensic analysis. Witness interviews. Building a case strong enough to file charges. But none of the statements mention why this specific case took over half a year.
Six months is a long time for a family to wait for answers. Especially when a 13-year-old is dead and the circumstances allegedly involve a drunk and high father playing with a loaded gun.
Where Things Stand
The arraignment is scheduled on March 2. On February 4, 2026, a judge ruled Zecca won't be released on bond for the manslaughter charge before a February 10 pretrial detention hearing. He's staying in jail until then.
A 13-year-old boy is dead. His father was drunk and high, playing with a gun in front of him. The gun that was supposedly made safe had a magazine reinserted and a round chambered. One single shot was fired, and Anthony Zecca died.
The family says it was a tragic accident. Prosecutors say Gregory Zecca was impaired and handling a loaded firearm around his kid. He's facing life in prison.
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