Gregory Anthony Zecca, the stepson of reality television star Dog the Bounty Hunter, has been formally charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child following a tragic incident last summer. The 39-year-old was arrested on Tuesday after a comprehensive investigation by Florida's Collier County Sheriff's Office determined he fatally shot his own 13-year-old son while handling a firearm under the influence of alcohol.
Heartbreaking and Preventable Tragedy
Sheriff Kevin Rambosk described the case as "a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy" in an official statement released on social media. The sheriff praised his detectives for conducting what he called an "exhaustive and thorough investigation" that examined every element of the incident through witness statements, forensic testing, subpoenas, and search warrants.
The aggravated manslaughter charge carries a potential penalty of life in prison, reflecting the serious nature of the allegations against Zecca, who is the son of Dog's wife, Francie Frane.
Sequence of Events Leading to Tragedy
According to the sheriff's office investigation, the events unfolded on July 13 last year when Zecca consumed alcohol over several hours at a local establishment before purchasing additional alcohol. He later used both alcohol and marijuana at a friend's residence, where he and his son were watching a UFC fight on television.
Inside the home, investigators determined that Zecca repeatedly handled a firearm in his child's presence, practicing drawing it from his waistband and dry-firing the weapon. Although the firearm had initially been made safe after the magazine was removed and a live round cleared from the chamber, at some point the magazine was reinserted and a round chambered.
Zecca then fired a single shot that fatally struck his son in what was initially described as a "freak accident" at the time of the incident.
Evidence of Impairment
Responding deputies reported detecting the odor of alcohol on Zecca and observing marijuana in plain view at the scene. Detectives later obtained search warrants for Zecca's medical records and a blood draw, with a toxicology expert analyzing the samples.
The expert estimated that Zecca's blood-alcohol concentration was above Florida's legal limit and concluded definitively that he was impaired by alcohol at the time of the shooting.
Family Tragedy with Far-Reaching Consequences
Joseph Lesniak, attorney for Dog the Bounty Hunter (whose real name is Duane Chapman), told media outlets that "this remains a devastating family tragedy." He added: "We believe 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."
Following the July incident last year, Zecca was placed on a psychiatric hold as the investigation began to unfold. The Independent has reached out to Dog's office for further comment on the recent developments in the case.
Broader Context of Child Safety
Sheriff Rambosk emphasized the broader implications of the case, stating: "This case underscores the devastating tragedy that can result from mixing firearms, alcohol and drugs. Our hearts are with everyone affected by this loss."
The tragedy highlights a significant public health concern in the United States. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional injury represents a leading cause of death among American children aged 0 to 17, with firearms ranking as a primary cause of such injuries, second only to motor vehicle accidents.
Approximately half of all unintentional firearm injury deaths affecting children occur in their own homes when firearms are not properly secured or stored safely. This statistic underscores the critical importance of responsible gun ownership and storage practices, particularly in households with minors.
