Duane Chapman, widely known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, was visibly emotional as he sat beside his wife Francie in a Florida courtroom on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Their presence marked a somber pretrial detention hearing for Francie's son, Gregory Zecca, who faces charges in connection with the fatal shooting of his own 13-year-old son, Anthony.
Courtroom Proceedings and Bond Set
Zecca, aged 39, appeared in Collier County court wearing an orange jail uniform, where he was ordered to be held on a substantial $500,000 bond. The charges against him include aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm and using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol. If convicted, authorities indicate Zecca could potentially face life imprisonment.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The courtroom appearance follows Zecca's arrest just one week prior, stemming from an incident that occurred over the summer in Naples, Florida. According to investigative reports, on July 19, Zecca had been drinking for several hours at a local establishment before purchasing additional alcohol. He allegedly continued drinking and using marijuana while watching a UFC fight with his son at a friend's residence.
During this gathering, investigators state Zecca repeatedly handled a firearm in his son's presence, practicing drawing it from his waistband and dry-firing. Although the firearm had initially been rendered safe by removing the magazine and clearing a live round, authorities allege that at some point, the magazine was reinserted, a round was chambered, and Zecca discharged a single shot that fatally struck his child.
Investigation Findings and Toxicology Results
When sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene around 8 p.m., they noted Zecca smelled of alcohol and observed marijuana nearby. Subsequent search warrants for medical records and blood draws revealed through independent toxicology testing that Zecca's blood alcohol level at the time of the shooting was approximately 0.116—nearly twice the legal limit for driving in Florida.
Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk stated in an official release, 'This was a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy.' He commended detectives for their exhaustive investigation, which included witness statements, forensic testing, subpoenas, and search warrants. 'This case underscores the devastating tragedy that can result from mixing firearms, alcohol and drugs,' Rambosk added, extending condolences to all affected by the loss.
Family Background and Legal Defense
Zecca is the biological son of Francie Chapman and stepson to Dog the Bounty Hunter. The Chapman family has previously bonded over shared loss, with Chapman beginning to date Francie in 2020 after the death of his fifth wife, Beth Smith, from cancer in 2019. Francie had lost her husband, Bob Frane, in 2018.
Despite the serious charges, Zecca's attorney, Joseph Lesniak, described the situation as a 'devastating family tragedy' and maintained that 'Greg loved his son deeply and that this was a tragic accident—one that has left many lives permanently changed, especially Anthony's and Greg's.'
Previous Firearms Exposure and Family Memories
Court records and social media posts reveal that Zecca had previously taught his son about firearms. In 2021, when Anthony was just nine years old, Zecca shared images from Franktown Firearms Shooting Center in Colorado on Instagram, captioning the post about getting range time with buddies.
Anthony was remembered by family members for his strong faith. In 2023, he shared a story about feeling what he described as the Holy Spirit while visiting his grandmother in a hospital emergency room after she injured her ankle, recalling a sudden rush of cold wind despite warm, rainy weather.
The tragedy has cast a profound shadow over the Chapman family, highlighting the devastating consequences of firearms mixed with substance impairment and leaving a community grappling with the loss of a young life.
