Duane Chapman, known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, and his family are grieving after a tragic accident in Florida.
On July 19, 2025, Dog’s stepson, Gregory Zecca, accidentally shot and killed his 13-year-old son, Anthony, at an apartment in Naples.
Duane Chapman’s step-grandson died after being accidentally shot by his father
Image credits: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images
Highlights
- Dog the Bounty Hunter’s step-grandson, Anthony, was fatally shot accidentally by his father, Gregory Zecca, in Naples, Florida, on July 19, 2025.
- The Collier County Sheriff described the shooting as an isolated accident; no arrests were made and the investigation is ongoing.
- Dog and Francie Chapman expressed deep grief and asked for prayers following the tragic loss.
- The incident highlights the ongoing crisis of accidental gun deaths in the U.S., with over 500 unintentional firearm deaths annually.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about the shooting around 8 p.m. local time.
Police described the incident as an “isolated accident.”
No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
Dog and his wife, Francie Chapman, who is Gregory Zecca’s mother, released a statement through a representative.
“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,” it said.
The news shocked fans and followers of Dog the Bounty Hunter, who has been a well-known figure in reality TV for many years.
His popular series, Dog the Bounty Hunter, follows his bounty-hunting activities, primarily in Hawaii and Colorado, and has built a large fan base.
Chapman showcases how he tracks down fugitives who have skipped bail, while also giving viewers a glimpse into his family life. He has also appeared in several spin-off shows and has become a notable figure in popular culture.
Chapman, 72, and his now wife married in 2021 after they bonded over their shared grief following the death of their respective spouses.
Zecca is Francie Chapman’s son from a previous marriage.
Gregory Zecca works with Dog on his bounty hunting team. The family has been close-knit, often seen together on the show and in public appearances.
Dog the Bounty Hunter is the father of 13 children and has experienced the death of his daughter, Barbara, and son, Zebadiah.
The tragedy involving Anthony highlights the larger issue of accidental gun deaths in the U.S.
According to national statistics, accidental shootings remain a leading cause of death, especially involving children and teenagers.
According to the CDC, there are approximately 27,000 unintentional firearm injuries and 500 unintentional firearm deaths per year in the U.S.
Just last month, in a similar case, a nine-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his younger sister with a rifle in Phoenix, Arizona.
There have been at least 116 unintentional shootings by children already in 2025, resulting in 48 deaths and 69 injuries nationally, according to Every Town Research, a non-profit advocating for gun control.
Accidental shootings are a leading cause of death, especially among children and teenagers
Image credits: Legal Reader
In the U.S., gun control remains a deeply divisive issue tied to the Second Amendment.
President Donald Trump and his administration have supported and even strengthened gun laws. In 2019, Trump froze a rule that would have prohibited people suffering from severe mental illness from buying guns.
During a 2024 campaign speech, Trump addressed thousands of members of the National Rifle Association in Pennsylvania. He promised that “no one will lay a finger on your firearms” if voters put him back in the White House.
“Your Second Amendment will always be safe with me as your president,” Trump said.
Just two days ago, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to declare a 2022 ruling in violation of the Constitution.
It allowed densely populous states to pass laws that prohibit bringing a handgun onto someone else’s property without that person’s express consent.
Advocacy groups, American citizens, and lawmakers have been fighting for stronger gun laws.
“What are we doing here?” Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said in 2022. “This only happens in this country and nowhere else. It is a choice. It is our choice to let it continue.”