A heartbreaking accident has struck the family of reality TV star Duane “Dog” Chapman, known for his series *Dog the Bounty Hunter*. On the evening of Saturday, July 19, 2025, 13-year-old Anthony Zecca, Chapman’s step-grandson, was fatally shot in a tragic incident at an apartment in Naples, Florida.
Authorities from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a shooting around 8:00 p.m. at a residence on Sumter Grove Way. Upon arrival, they found young Anthony with a gunshot wound. Despite efforts from first responders, the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting has been described by law enforcement as an “isolated incident” and a “freak accident,” with no arrests made as the investigation continues.
The incident involved Gregory Zecca, 38, Chapman’s stepson and the biological son of Chapman’s wife, Francie Chapman, from a previous marriage. According to reports, Gregory accidentally shot his son, Anthony, in what has been characterized as an unintentional tragedy. Specific details about the circumstances, including the type of firearm involved or how the incident occurred, have not been disclosed by authorities.
In a statement released through a family representative, Duane “Dog” Chapman, 72, and Francie Chapman expressed their profound grief: “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.” The couple has requested privacy as they navigate this devastating loss.
Duane and Francie Chapman, who married in 2021, bonded over shared experiences of loss after the deaths of their previous spouses. Duane’s fifth wife, Beth Chapman, passed away in June 2019 at age 51 following a battle with throat cancer. Francie also lost her first husband to cancer, a shared grief that deepened their connection. The couple has been active in the Naples and Marco Island communities since settling in the area in 2023, often participating in local church services and charity events.
Gregory Zecca, a member of Chapman’s bounty hunting team, is known to be a firearms enthusiast. In 2021, he shared photos of himself and Anthony, then 9, practicing at a shooting range in Franktown, Colorado, though those images have since been removed from social media. The tragedy has sparked discussions about gun safety in homes, particularly in environments where firearms are common due to professional activities like bounty hunting.
Duane Chapman, father to 13 children from six relationships, has faced significant losses in the past. His daughter Barbara Katy died in a car accident in 2006, and his wife Beth passed away in 2019. His children include Christopher (with Debbie White); Duane Lee II and Leland (with ex-wife Fonda Sue Darnell); Wesley, James Robert, and the late Zebadiah (with ex-wife Anne Tegnell); Tucker, Lyssa, and the late Barbara (with ex-wife Lyssa Rae Brittain); Bonnie, Cecily, and Garry (with late wife Beth Chapman); and Jon, a son whose identity was revealed to Chapman in 2023.
The Naples community, where the Chapmans are well-known, has rallied around the family, with an outpouring of condolences on social media. Fans of *Dog the Bounty Hunter* have also expressed their sorrow, emphasizing the family’s history of resilience in the face of adversity. As the investigation continues, the Chapman family remains focused on mourning Anthony, a beloved teenager whose life was cut short in this unimaginable tragedy.
