Dog the Bounty Hunter Family in Mourning After Tragic Accident

 Dog the Bounty Hunter Family in Mourning After Tragic Accident

NAPLES, Florida — In a devastating stroke to the family of reality-TV personality Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman, a sorrowful and terrible tragedy has transpired. Early in the evening of July 19, 2025, 13-year-old Anthony Zecca, Chapman's step-grandson and child of his stepson Gregory Zecca, was fatally shot and wounded within the family apartment in Naples, Florida.

The Incident: What We Know

Deputies in Collier County were called to a report of a shooting at around 8:08 p.m. local time on Saturday, July 19. First responders arrived to find Anthony dead, and have preliminarily labeled the incident an **"isolated accident"**. 

Police have confirmed no one has been arrested. They are keeping the case open as they investigate to find out exactly how the gun was fired and why the accident happened. 

Gregory Zecca: The Father and Family Member

34-year-old Gregory Zecca is the biological son of Francie Chapman (Dog's wife, who had Gregory previously before marrying Duane Chapman in 2021) and collaborates closely with Dog as a member of their bounty-hunting crew. He's also recognized as a podcaster ("Beyond the Bounty" host) and small business owner operating from Parker, Colorado.

This event caused shockwaves in the Blended Chapman–Zecca family. In statements to the media released through TMZ, Duane and Francie explained their grief, calling for prayers and privacy as they struggle to comprehend this loss. 

Public and Media Response

News sources such as People, Page Six, Times of India, and others have provided extensive coverage of the tragedy, highlighting the inadvertent nature of the shooting and describing the incident as a "freak accident" that has sent the family into mourning and looking for comfort. 

Tabloid coverage has also brought back earlier social media photos that featured Anthony when he was a boy of about nine years old, sharing a gun range experience with his father—photos Gregory had posted on Instagram that have been since taken down after the incident .

Duane Chapman: Career and Personal Background

For over four decades, Duane "Dog" Chapman, 78, has been a familiar presence in the world of bounty hunting and reality television. Most famous for his hit A&E series Dog the Bounty Hunter (which ran from 2004 to 2012), Chapman and his clan—wife Francie and some of his adult children—are still very much in the spotlight thanks to spin‑offs such as Dog and Beth: On the Hunt, Dog's Most Wanted, and other production efforts. 

Chapman has been party to high-profile fugitive apprehensions, such as the 2003 arrest of Andrew Luster in Mexico. In spite of controversy—prior legal convictions and litigation over his public conduct—he has made a career out of hard bounty work and a strongly Christian personal ethic. 

He wed Francie Frane in 2021, joining two families who both experienced catastrophic personal loss (Beth Chapman passed away in 2019; Francie lost her husband within months of Beth's illness) .

The Family's Response

In their spokesperson, Dog and Francie said they were "mourning as a family for this senseless, tragic loss", and requested ongoing prayers as they mourn the death of their dearly loved grandson Anthony. A public appeal for seclusion has been made with their profoundly emotional utterances.

Broader Context & Legacy

Blended family situation: Duane Chapman, father of 13 children from different relationships, and Francie Frank—Greg Zecca's mother—mingle history with multiple marriages and emotional trauma after the loss of loved ones. Their marriage in 2021 was viewed by many as one that originated out of shared grief and shared religion. 

The Chapmans are still firmly entrenched in their public image as law enforcement supporters and TV personalities. Yet beneath-controversies—accusations of racism, lawsuits regarding on-set conduct, and intra-family disagreements—have shaded their heritage .

What Comes Next

The Collier County Sheriff's Office keeps investigating the events that led to Anthony's death, with forensic specialists most likely engaged in reconstructing the accident.

No charges have been released to the public; officials have again ruled this an isolated, tragic accident instead of a planned action .

The Chapman–Zecca family will likely pull back from the public eye for the moment, turning inward in terms of mourning. Public releases to date emphasize grief, commemoration, and the requirement for spiritual and emotional care. 

Key Facts in the Spotlight

Topic Detail

Date of Incident July 19, 2025 at ~8 p.m. local Naples, FL

Victim

Anthony Zecca, 13, step-grandson of Duane Chapman

Shooter

Gregory Zecca (Anthony's father, Dog's stepson)

Relationship

Gregory is son of Francie; wedded to family since 2021

Investigation

Ongoing; categorized by authorities as "isolated accident"

Arrests

None apprehended

Public Statements

Dog & Francie ask for privacy and prayers, in light of "incomprehensible" loss