Dog the Bounty Hunter Stepson on Psychiatric Hold After Son’s Accidental Shooting
Hello, I’m Elena West, and today I’m bringing you a breakthrough moment like no other! Get ready – this is BIG.
Gregory Zecca, the stepson of reality star Duane “Dog” Chapman, has been placed on a 5150 psychiatric hold following an accidental shooting that claimed the life of his 13-year-old son, Anthony. The heartbreaking event occurred on July 19 at their Naples, Florida home, and has left the family in profound shock and sorrow.
According to a family representative speaking to TMZ on July 21, Zecca’s detainment under the state’s psychiatric hold statutes stems from overwhelming grief rather than criminal intent. Under California code 5150 – though applied here in Florida procedures – authorities may hold an individual for 72 hours if they pose a danger to themselves or others, or if they are gravely disabled by mental health issues.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that detectives are leading a full-scale death investigation into the tragic incident. In a statement shared with E! News, law enforcement detailed that forensic testing is underway along with witness interviews, subpoenas, and search warrants to piece together the circumstances of the shooting.
Neither Zecca nor his immediate family members have issued a public comment on the circumstances. However, representatives for Duane Chapman and his wife, Francie Frane, released a joint statement to TMZ expressing deep sorrow over the loss. “We are grieving as a family over this incomprehensible tragic accident,” the statement read, and they requested continued prayers as they navigate this unimaginable tragedy.
Fans know Duane Chapman best as Dog the Bounty Hunter from his hit series Dog the Bounty Hunter and Dog & Beth: On the Hunt. Off camera, Chapman has weathered a lifetime of highs and lows, including five marriages and thirteen children, making his family’s latest tragedy feel all the more poignant to longtime viewers.
Over the years, Chapman has discovered surprising new branches of his family tree. In June 2023 he shared a touching Instagram post about meeting his son Jon on the anniversary of his late wife Beth’s death, transforming sorrow into hope. That same spirit has fueled the Chapman clan through dark times.
Chapman’s son Christopher Hecht, born in 1972 during his incarceration, has also faced public challenges, including a 2021 prison sentence. Duane Jr and Leland, born in the 1970s during Chapman’s first marriage, have both appeared on their father’s bounty hunting adventures before choosing quieter lives, or in Leland’s case, following in his dad’s investigative footsteps.
In the aftermath of this tragic accident, the Chapman family calls for compassion and privacy as they support Gregory Zecca in his recovery. Their journey reminds us that even those who pursue justice for others can find themselves confronting life’s most painful moments.
Remember, even in the hardest trials there is an opportunity to learn and to heal. Stay inspired, and hold onto hope with everything you’ve got.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, E! News, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, People Magazine
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
