In a devastating and tragic turn of events, Gregory Zecca — the stepson of Dog the Bounty Hunter star Duane Chapman — has been placed on a psychiatric hold after accidentally shooting and killing his 13-year-old son, Anthony, in what authorities are calling a “freak accident.”
According to TMZ, Zecca, 38, was placed on a 5150 psychiatric hold out of fear he might harm himself following the shooting, which occurred Saturday evening at the family’s apartment in Naples, Florida.
💔 A Tragedy That Shattered a Family
Anthony suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the neck, just above the sternum, with no exit wound, according to the police report obtained by DailyMail.com. When deputies arrived, the young teen had already lost a significant amount of blood and was receiving CPR and chest compressions in a desperate, yet unsuccessful attempt to save his life.
Zecca reportedly had been sedated and has not yet spoken to family or law enforcement since the tragedy. A representative for the family emphasized that the psychiatric hold is grief-related and not tied to guilt over any crime, as the shooting is being investigated as a tragic accident.
🕊️ A Child Lost, A Family in Mourning
The firearm used in the incident was found on the kitchen island, and no arrests have been made. Authorities have confirmed this was an isolated incident. The investigation is ongoing and involves statements from witnesses, forensic testing, and search warrants.
Duane Chapman and his wife Francie, Zecca’s mother, released a heartbreaking 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.”
🔫 A Love of Firearms Turned Fatal
Gregory Zecca was known as a firearms enthusiast. In 2021, he had shared photos online of himself and Anthony enjoying time at the shooting range. The tragic irony of this enthusiasm now hangs heavy, as Gregory grapples with unimaginable loss.
🙏 Anthony’s Spiritual Side Remembered
Beyond his love for comics and dancing to Usher, Anthony was described as a spiritually sensitive and kind-hearted boy. In a poignant family moment recalled by Francie, Anthony once claimed to feel the Holy Spirit while sitting beside his grandmother in a hospital ER.
“The doors didn’t open, but I felt the wind on my chest and back,” Anthony had said. “It was the Holy Spirit.”
📉 Grief, Trauma, and a Family in Crisis
Gregory, who worked alongside his famous stepfather Duane in the family’s bounty hunting operations, has now disabled all social media accounts. Meanwhile, the Chapman family — bonded in grief, shaped by loss — prepares to face the emotional and public aftermath of this tragedy.
As Dog the Bounty Hunter and his wife prepare to mark their fourth wedding anniversary this September, their world has been rocked by a heartbreak no family should endure.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.