NAPLES, FL — A heartbreaking and tragic accident has struck the family of famed bounty hunter and television personality Duane “Dog” Chapman. Over the weekend, Chapman’s stepson, Gregory Zecca, accidentally shot and killed his own 13-year-old son, Anthony, in what authorities are calling an “incomprehensible tragic accident.”
The incident occurred Saturday night at an apartment in Naples, Florida, and has left both the family and the public reeling. According to reports first shared by TMZ, police responded to the scene following the accidental discharge of a firearm. Young Anthony, tragically struck in the incident, was pronounced dead shortly after the shooting.
Law enforcement officials have confirmed that no arrests have been made at this time. The Naples Police Department is treating the event as an isolated incident while continuing their investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting. Authorities have not disclosed further details on how the weapon was discharged or the nature of the handling at the time of the tragedy.
Gregory Zecca is the son of Dog Chapman’s wife, Francie Frane, from a previous marriage. Francie and Dog married in 2021, each having previously lost their spouses. Since their union, the blended family has sought to find peace and healing, with this devastating accident now placing them in the center of unimaginable grief.
In a joint statement provided to TMZ, Duane Chapman and Francie Frane expressed the immense sorrow they are experiencing as they come to terms with the sudden loss of their grandson.
“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,” the statement read. “We kindly request privacy during this extremely difficult time.”
As of now, the family is focusing on mourning the loss of young Anthony, whose life was taken far too soon. Friends, fans, and supporters have flooded social media with messages of condolence and prayers, offering strength to the family in this moment of overwhelming sorrow.
Duane “Dog” Chapman rose to fame in the early 2000s as the star of the reality series “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” which followed his work capturing fugitives alongside his late wife, Beth Chapman, and other family members. The show ran for eight seasons on A&E and built a devoted fanbase. The couple later went on to co-star in “Dog and Beth: On the Hunt” on CMT, further documenting their adventures and personal lives.
The recent tragedy has reminded many of the deep pain the Chapman family has endured in recent years, including Beth’s heartbreaking passing from cancer in 2019. The accidental shooting of young Anthony now adds another tragic chapter to their family’s journey.
While the investigation continues, the community is urged to respect the family’s request for privacy and continue keeping them in thoughts and prayers. The loss of a child is every parent’s nightmare, and in this case, the weight of the grief is made all the more unbearable by its sudden and accidental nature.
As the Chapman and Zecca families grieve, they do so surrounded by an outpouring of love and compassion from those who have followed them through both fame and sorrow.
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