Dog the Bounty Hunter’s Stepson Placed on Psychiatric Hold After Fatally Shooting His 13-Year-Old Son in ‘Freak Accident’

Tragedy Strikes Dog the Bounty Hunter’s Family: Stepson on Psychiatric Hold After Accidentally Shooting Son
(Images: Include photos of Gregory and Anthony, Duane Chapman with Francie and family, Anthony at a gun range in 2021, and a memorial image of Anthony.)

Gregory Zecca, 38, stepson of Dog the Bounty Hunter star Duane Chapman, has been placed on a psychiatric hold following the accidental fatal shooting of his 13-year-old son, Anthony. The incident occurred Saturday evening at their Naples, Florida, home. Authorities confirmed the shooting was a “freak accident,” and Gregory has been hospitalized under a 5150 hold—a temporary involuntary psychiatric commitment—due to concerns he may harm himself while grieving.

A Devastating Accident
According to a Collier County Sheriff’s Office report obtained by DailyMail.com, Anthony suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the neck, just above the sternum, with no exit wound. Deputies arrived at 8:08 p.m. to find Anthony unresponsive, having lost significant blood. Despite CPR and emergency efforts, he was pronounced dead at 8:21 p.m. The firearm involved was found on the kitchen counter.

The family’s representative emphasized Gregory’s psychiatric hold stems from overwhelming grief, not guilt related to criminal intent. Gregory, heavily sedated, has not yet spoken to family or investigators.

Family’s Heartbreak
Duane Chapman and his wife Francie—Gregory’s mother—released a statement: “We are grieving as a family over this incomprehensible tragic accident and ask for prayers as we mourn our beloved grandson.”

Gregory, a gun enthusiast, had previously shared social media posts of himself and Anthony practicing at shooting ranges. His accounts have since been deactivated.

(Image: Gregory and Anthony at a gun range in 2021, captioned: “Gregory, a gun enthusiast, shared this photo of himself and Anthony ‘getting some range time in’ in 2021.”)

Investigation and Background
Law enforcement confirmed the incident as “isolated,” with no arrests made. Detectives are reviewing witness statements, forensic evidence, and search warrants. Gregory, part of Duane’s bounty hunting team, is Francie’s son from a prior marriage.

Anthony, remembered as a vibrant child, spent time with his grandparents last summer. In a poignant 2023 anecdote, he described feeling the “Holy Spirit” as wind during a hospital visit with Francie, who recovered from an ankle injury.

(Image: Anthony smiling, captioned: “Anthony, 13, was described as a joyful child who loved family and faith.”)

A Family Bonded by Grief
Duane and Francie married in 2020, bonding over shared loss—Duane’s late wife Beth died of cancer in 2019, and Francie’s husband Bob passed in 2018. “We helped each other through the pain,” Francie previously told ET. The couple will mark their fourth anniversary September 2.

(Image: Duane and Francie Chapman, captioned: “Duane and Francie married in 2020, uniting after both losing spouses to illness.”)

As the family mourns, the community rallies around them, highlighting the heartbreaking consequences of the accidental shooting. Authorities continue investigating while emphasizing no charges are currently expected.

Word count: 598