More than half-a-year after Dog the Bounty Hunter’s step-grandson died from a gunshot, authorities have arrested the child’s father in the slaying.
Gregory Zecca, 39, was arrested on a Collier County Sheriff’s Office warrant charging him with aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm and using a firearm while under the influence. Zecca’s son, 13-year-old Anthony, died July 19, 2025. The aggravated manslaughter charge carries a potential penalty of life in prison.
In a statement posted to the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page, Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said detectives “conducted an exhaustive and thorough investigation, examining every element of what happened through witness statements, forensic testing, subpoenas, search warrants, and more.”
According to the sheriff’s office, their investigation determined Gregory Zecca drank alcohol over several hours at a local establishment, bought additional alcohol and later used alcohol and marijuana at a friend’s home on Sumter Grove Way. Gregory Zecca and Anthony were watching a UFC fight on TV.
Authorities said Gregory Zecca repeatedly handled a firearm in the child’s presence, practicing drawing it from his waistband and dry-firing. The firearm had initially been rendered safe by removing the magazine and clearing a live round from the chamber, sheriff’s officials said.
Dry-firing is the practice of pulling the trigger of an unloaded firearm to simulate firing.
At some point, authorities said, the magazine was reinserted and a round chambered. That is when authorities said Gregory Zecca discharged a single shot, fatally striking Anthony Zecca.
Responding sheriff’s deputies noted the odor of alcohol on Gregory Zecca and saw marijuana.
The sheriff’s office said detectives obtained two search warrants for medical records and a blood draw.
A toxicology expert independently extrapolated both samples and estimated Gregory Zecca’s blood-alcohol concentration to be approximately 0.116 during the shooting — nearly twice the legal limit allowed to drive a car.
Sheriff’s officials said the toxicologist concluded Gregory Zecca was impaired by alcohol.
Gregory Zecca’s arraignment is March 2.
Dog the Bounty Hunter’s connection to SWFL
Duane Chapman, known as Dog The Bounty Hunter, in 2023 began being spotted on Marco Island with his wife, Francie, since calling it home. The Chapmans have been married since 2021.
“Facebook groups have lit up with users spotting the couple dining in adored local establishments throughout Southwest Florida,” the Naples Daily News reported three years ago.
Duane and Francie met in 2019 and married in 2021 after both had experienced the loss of the spouses because of cancer.
A TV star, Dog the Bounty Hunter entertained millions of his fans over the years in chronicling the life of a bounty hunter and his family in their everyday lives.
An attempt to reach Chapman by phone Feb. 3 was automatically forwarded to voicemail.
On June 22, the Chapmans announced they were leaving Florida to move to Georgia and have been chronicling their move online.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@usatodayco.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez.
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: Stepson of Dog The Bounty Hunter arrested in Southwest Florida
Reporting by Tomas Rodriguez, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
