In Naples, Florida, authorities have detained and charged Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman’s stepson following the tragic shooting death of his teenage son.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office announced that 39-year-old Gregory Zecca faces charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm, alongside using a firearm while intoxicated. The incident, occurring on July 19, could lead to a life sentence if Zecca is convicted of the manslaughter charge.
According to investigators, Zecca had been drinking for several hours and also consumed marijuana at a friend’s home where he and his son were watching television. He allegedly brandished a gun from his waistband, firing it multiple times without live ammunition near the child. At some point that evening, a live round was reportedly chambered, leading to a fatal shot when Zecca fired the weapon again.
“This was a devastating and avoidable incident,” stated Sheriff Kevin Rambosk via social media. “Our team conducted a comprehensive investigation, piecing together the events through witness accounts, forensic analysis, and a series of subpoenas and search warrants.”
The initial report of the shooting was covered by TMZ in July. In their statement to the outlet, Chapman and his wife, Francie, requested privacy as they navigate this difficult time.
“Our family is mourning the loss of our beloved grandson, Anthony, due to this unimaginable accident,” the couple expressed. “We seek continued prayers as we grieve together.”
Chapman became a household name when he captured Max Factor heir Andrew Luster in 2003, and was given his own series, Dog the Bounty Hunter, in 2004. In that show and a number of spin-offs, camera crews captured Chapman and his associates tracking down fugitives as bail bondsmen.
