Grief has once again struck Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman’s family after 13‑year‑old Anthony Zecca was fatally shot by his own father, Gregory Zecca, in what authorities are calling a “tragic accident” at their Naples, Florida apartment. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident as an isolated case, and the family has pleaded for privacy and prayers during this devastating time. People reports the family’s heartbreak and request for compassion.
Anthony—Dog’s step‑grandson through his wife Francie—was shot Saturday night around 8 p.m. by his 34‑year‑old father, who is also part of Chapman’s bounty hunting team. The shocking turn of events unfolded in what investigators have described as a freak accident. The New York Post outlines Gregory’s involvement and the father’s previous demonstrations of firearms safety with his son.
“We are grieving as a family over this incomprehensible tragic accident and would ask for continued prayers.”
Despite repeated mentions of Gregory and Anthony attending range days—symbolized by photos at a local gun store and shooting range—the family expressed that no one understands how a day meant for bonding could end in such tragedy. Sorry wrong link example.
Friends of Anthony describe him as bright, curious, and full of promise. His sudden death shattered more than just a family—Dog, who legally is not Anthony’s biological grandfather, had often embraced Anthony as his own, honoring him publicly as part of the bounty-hunter family. Times of India captures the depth of the family’s shock and the widespread condolences offered.
“Anthony was my little man… he reminded me of my boy. This hurts beyond words.”
The incident has renewed scrutiny on firearms safety—especially when children are involved. Gun-safety experts caution against having loaded weapons in home environments, even in households familiar with guns. AP News warns that young teens often lack the impulse control needed around firearms, making supervision essential.
Dog and Francie, who were married in 2021 following their own past losses to cancer, bonded deeply over shared grief—he’d lost his daughter Barbara in 2006, and she her previous husband. Their family life included Anthony and his siblings, built on love and healing. People recaps how this union was meant to close painful chapters of loss.
When news broke, social media erupted in tribute to Anthony. Fans shared photos of his bright smile, while prayer threads proliferated across Facebook and X. Yahoo News highlights the outpouring from fans who grew up watching Dog’s TV shows and considered Anthony part of that larger extended gang.
Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office confirmed no signs of foul play or intent—calling it an isolated accident as they continue to investigate. The community is urging patience while they sift through the circumstances that led to the tragedy. Page Six quotes law enforcement’s calm but somber tone.
If Gregory is cleared of wrongdoing, he may still face civil litigation from the family, as wrongful-death suits can proceed independently of criminal charges. Legal experts note that civil cases have a lower burden of proof, so lawsuits are likely—possibly rooted in claims of negligent handling or storage of firearms around minors.
Through all this, Dog—who recovered from multiple controversies and legal dramas in his career—now faces his greatest challenge: comforting a grieving son-in-law and wife while confronting the reality of a lost grandson. The pain contrasts sharply with his fearless public persona. The Sun reports that Dog is leaning on his faith and the same resilience he’s preached for decades.
Faith has long been a cornerstone for the Chapman family. Dog often shares Bible verses and public prayers after dramatic captures. Now, his audience watches for signs of how the family will navigate this tragedy—seeking meaning, even as grief refuses to relent. E! News covers the tension between public expectation and private heartbreak.
The story raises broader questions about the culture of firearms in America: how early “training” with guns may hide risks, not mitigate them; how emotional bonds cannel complacency; and how even well-meaning parents can make unspeakable mistakes under stress. Experts say policies requiring locked storage and trigger-locks are vital, especially in mixed-age households like this one.
For now, the Chapman household is steeped in sorrow. Community vigils have emerged in Naples and Colorado—where Gregory lived before moving near his new family. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office continues to seek any witnesses who might shed light on the sequence of events leading up to the shooting.
As Dog and Francie step into public view to honor Anthony’s legacy, one truth remains: a 13‑year‑old boy who was loved as a grandson—by a TV sensation and a family—has been torn from them in a single moment’s miscalculation. That pain will not soon fade.
