Gregory Zecca, the stepson of Dog the Bounty Hunter, has been arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm following the fatal shooting of his 13-year-old son last July. The incident occurred while Zecca was handling a firearm under the influence of alcohol, according to the Collier County Sheriff's Office in Florida.
Sheriff Kevin Rambosk described the case as a 'heartbreaking and preventable tragedy' in a statement. The investigation revealed that Zecca had consumed alcohol over several hours, purchased more alcohol, and later used both alcohol and marijuana at a friend's home while watching a UFC fight with his son. During this time, Zecca repeatedly handled a firearm, practicing drawing and dry-firing it.
The firearm had initially been made safe by removing the magazine and clearing a live round from the chamber. However, at some point, the magazine was reinserted and a round chambered, leading to a single shot that fatally struck the child. Responding deputies detected alcohol on Zecca and observed marijuana in plain view. A toxicology expert estimated that Zecca's blood-alcohol concentration was above Florida's legal limit, concluding he was impaired.
Zecca, 39, was placed on a psychiatric hold after the incident, which was initially described as a 'freak accident.' The aggravated manslaughter charge carries a potential life sentence. Dog the Bounty Hunter's attorney, Joseph Lesniak, stated to TMZ: 'This remains a devastating family tragedy. We believe Greg loved his son deeply, and that this was a tragic accident.'
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional injury is a leading cause of death among U.S. children, with firearms being a leading cause second only to motor vehicle accidents. Approximately half of such deaths occur at home when guns are not properly locked away.
