Background: News footage of the apartment complex in Naples, Fla., where Gregory Zecca allegedly shot his son in July 2025 (WBBH). Inset: Gregory Zecca (Collier County Sheriff”s Office).
In a tragic incident that has left a Florida community reeling, a man has been charged with the devastating death of his teenage son, allegedly caused by his own hand while under the influence of alcohol. Gregory Zecca, 39, now faces grave charges following the fatal shooting of his 13-year-old son, an event that unfolded amid what was supposed to be a casual gathering.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office announced Zecca’s arrest on Tuesday, holding him accountable for aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm. The incident, which took place on July 19, 2025, at a Naples apartment belonging to Zecca’s friend, Christopher Jones, has stirred considerable attention. Zecca is also charged with using a firearm while intoxicated, as detailed in a Facebook post by the sheriff’s office.
The evening began innocuously enough with Zecca, Jones, their respective girlfriends, and Zecca’s son enjoying themselves at a local bowling alley. However, as the night progressed, the adults consumed several alcoholic beverages, eventually taking more back to Jones’s apartment, according to a probable cause statement examined by Law&Crime.
Once back at the apartment, the group split up, with the women and the teenager separating from the men. The boy later informed the women that Zecca and Jones were engaging in some “roughhousing.” This playful demeanor shifted as the teen returned to join the men in the kitchen, where the trio began “practicing drawing firearms from their waistbands.”
Jones recounted to police that both he and Zecca were “dry firing” the guns, believing them to be unloaded. The situation took a dark turn as the two girlfriends left to walk the dog after placing a food order. Jones initially claimed he witnessed Zecca load a magazine into his 9 mm handgun before pulling the trigger, but later recanted, stating he could not recall seeing Zecca insert a magazine.
The two girlfriends placed a food order then left the apartment to take the dog for a walk. Jones told police that after the women left, he “specifically witnessed Zecca insert a magazine into his 9 mm handgun and pull the trigger.” He later contradicted himself, saying he “did not recall seeing Zecca load a magazine” into his gun.
When police questioned Zecca, he told police that he was “handling the gun and it went off,” hitting his son in the chest. The boy collapsed to the floor, and Jones witnessed blood coming out of his mouth. Zecca ran to the boy’s side while Jones called 911.
The women told police that while they were outside the apartment, they heard a muffled “pop,” but believed the noise could have been fireworks. Then they heard “frantic screaming.” When they returned to the apartment, a “distressed” Jones stopped them from coming inside, telling them, “You don’t want to see this.”
Police arrived at the apartment and declared the boy deceased. They located two firearms, including Zecca’s 9 mm, in the kitchen. According to the statement, police smelled alcohol coming off of Zecca, and Jones confirmed to police that he and Zecca had been drinking that evening and smoking marijuana.
In a Facebook post, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said Zecca’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.116 at the time of the shooting, higher than the state’s legal limit of 0.08. His blood also tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
It was noted in the court documents that Zecca had a long history of working with firearms, including around his stepfather Duane Chapman, better known as Dog the Bounty Hunter.
Zecca was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm and using a firearm while under the influence. His arraignment is scheduled for March 2.
