Dog the Bounty Hunter alum Duane Chapman and his sixth wife Francie suffered a family tragedy on Saturday night.
The 72-year-old reality star’s step-grandson, 13-year-old Anthony Zecca, tragically lost his life in an accidental shooting by his father, Gregory Zecca, at their Naples, FL apartment, reported by TMZ.
38-year-old Gregory – who’s Francie’s son from a prior marriage – reportedly works with Duane on his bounty hunting team.
Local authorities described the unfortunate event as an ‘isolated incident,’ and indicated that no arrests have been made. However, they did confirm to the outlet their response to a shooting call around 8pm ET.
Chapman and the 56-year-old Bounty Wear owner issued a statement expressing their deep sorrow: ‘As a family, we are grieving this unimaginable tragic accident and seek continued prayers as we mourn the passing of our beloved grandson, Anthony.’
Zecca was a gun enthusiast, and he proudly shared snaps of ‘getting some range time in’ with his son and their rifle back in 2021.
Dog the Bounty Hunter alum Duane Chapman and his sixth wife Francie suffered a family tragedy on Saturday night
One year ago, little Anthony spent the summer with his grandparents and told a story about how he felt the wind of the Holy Spirit while visiting his ‘Meemaw’ in the hospital ER in 2023 after she injured her ankle.
Anthony and Duane sat on a bench in the waiting room when he suddenly felt a gush of cold wind blowing in from outside even though it was a warm, rainy day.
‘When we’re walking to her room I feel the wind again but from a different direction. When it first came, it hit me [on my chest]. But when it came again, it hit me from the back,’ the Christian child marveled.
‘And I’m wondering what is this? Because the doors didn’t open this time, so why am I getting hit by wind? [It was] the Holy Spirit. And I asked Meemaw and she said, “It was the Holy Spirit.”‘
Francie had been feeling miserable but ‘after X-rays and after we prayed, we go back into the room and she’s just fine. She said, “This don’t even hurt anymore.” And it turned out to not be broken.’
Aside from artillery and Jesus, little Anthony also enjoyed dancing to Usher and attending local Comic Con conventions where he posed with Predator.
The Chapmans – who began dating in 2020 – first bonded over their shared grief about being widowed.
Duane suffered the loss of his fifth wife Beth Smith in 2019 to stage II throat cancer and Francie suffered the loss of her husband Bob Frane in 2018.
The 72-year-old reality star’s (L) 13-year-old step-grandson Anthony Zecca (M, pictured in 2022) was accidentally shot and killed by his own father, Gregory Zecca (R), at their apartment in Naples, FL
38-year-old Gregory (pictured in 2021) – who’s Francie’s son from a prior marriage – reportedly works with Duane on his bounty hunting team
Local law enforcement called the freak accident an ‘isolated incident’ and no arrests have been made, but they confirmed to the outlet they ‘responded to a call about the shooting around 8pm ET’ (pictured in 2021)
Chapman (R, pictured in 2024) and the 56-year-old Bounty Wear owner (L) said in a statement: ‘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’
Zecca was a gun enthusiast, and he proudly shared snaps of ‘getting some range time in’ with his son and their rifle back in 2021
One year ago, little Anthony spent the summer with his grandparents and told a story about how he felt the wind of the Holy Spirit while visiting his ‘Meemaw’ in the hospital ER in 2023 after she injured her ankle (pictured in 2024)
Aside from artillery and Jesus, the Christian child also enjoyed dancing to Usher and attending local Comic Con conventions (pictured in 2021)
The mourning couple will celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary on September 2.
On November 15, the Chapmans will host their 3rd Annual F.U.S.E. Restored Gala in Cape Coral, FL.
The old Hollywood glam-themed human trafficking benefit will be held at The Westin of Cape Coral at Marina Village.
