Gregory Zecca, Dog the Bounty Hunter’s stepson, shoots 13-year-old son

A tragedy has shaken the family of Duane “Dog” Chapman, known to many as ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’. On Saturday, July 19, his stepson Gregory Zecca accidentally shot his own 13-year-old son, Anthony, leading to the boy’s untimely death.

The incident happened in an apartment in Naples, Florida, around 8 p.m. local time. According to TMZ, local police were called to the scene after a report of a shooting. Authorities described the case as an “isolated incident” and confirmed that no arrests have been made yet.

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While the details of how the accident occurred are still unclear, the family says it was a tragic mistake.

Dog Chapman, 72, and his wife Francie Chapman shared a statement with TMZ through a family spokesperson. They said, “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.”

Gregory Zecca is Francie Chapman’s son from her previous marriage. Francie and Dog married in 2021. Their relationship grew after both lost their spouses. Dog’s wife, Beth Chapman, passed away from cancer in 2019 at the age of 51, while Francie was also mourning the death of her husband at the time.

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Zecca reportedly works closely with Dog on his bounty hunting team. The two have been involved in hunting fugitives together as part of Dog’s well-known career.

This event adds to the complicated family history of Duane Chapman. Over the years, Dog has had 13 children with multiple partners. His first child, Christopher, is from his relationship with Debbie White.

He shares sons Duane Lee II and Leland with his first wife, Fonda Sue Darnell. With his second wife, Anne Tegnell, he has Wesley, James Robert, and Zebadiah, who passed away in infancy.

With his third wife, Lyssa Rae Brittain, he had three more children: Tucker, Lyssa, and Barbara. Barbara died in a car accident in 2006, just one day before Dog’s wedding to Beth.

Dog also has three children with his late wife Beth: daughters Bonnie and Cecily, and son Garry. In 2023, Dog revealed that he had recently discovered another son, Jon, bringing his total number of children to 13.