Tragic Loss in Dog the Bounty Hunter’s Family: Stepson Allegedly Involved in Accidental Shooting of Son

 In a heart-wrenching twist of fate, Gregory Zecca—stepson to Duane “Dog” Chapman—stands at the center of an alleged misfire that resulted in the untimely demise of his 13-year-old son, Anthony. The catastrophic episode, branded as a grievous accident, unfolded on the evening of Saturday, July 19, within the confines of a Naples, Florida apartment, according to dispatches from TMZ.

Responding to a distress call around 8 p.m., local authorities descended upon the scene. Law enforcement officials categorized the fatal shooting as a "singular occurrence," emphasizing the absence of criminal detainment at this juncture.

In a sorrow-laden statement communicated through a representative, Duane "Dog" Chapman, aged 72, and his spouse Francie Chapman—Zecca's mother—voiced their aching desolation: “Our hearts are broken in ways language cannot hold. This bewildering misfortune has devastated our family, and we humbly ask for continued intercession and solace as we mourn the profound loss of our cherished Anthony.”

As of July 20, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, alongside representatives for the Chapman couple, have not responded to requests for commentary issued by PEOPLE.

Zecca, a key member of Dog’s bounty-hunting crew, is Francie’s son from a previous marriage.. The couple's union in 2021 emerged from mutual sorrow—both having lost beloved spouses. Dog’s fifth wife, Beth Chapman, succumbed to cancer in June 2019 at age 51.

The bounty-hunting patriarch, known for his grit and turbulent history, is father to a constellation of 13 children. His familial web includes son Christopher with Debbie White; sons Duane Lee II and Leeland from ex-wife Fonda Sue Darnell; Wesley, James Robert, and the late Zebadiah with Anne Tegnell.

With former spouse Lyssa Rae Brittain, he shares Tucker, Lyssa, and the late Barbara. With Beth, he welcomed three children into the world: Bonnie, Cecily, and Garry.

In a striking revelation made public in 2023, the reality icon disclosed the discovery of a long-lost son named Jon—adding yet another thread to his already intricate lineage.

As the family contends with an unbearable tide of grief, the shocking demise of young Anthony underscores the fragile boundary between life and tragedy.