Following a devastating family tragedy, Gregory Zecca is now facing legal repercussions. Six months after Dog the Bounty Hunter's (real name Duane Chapman) stepson mistakenly shot and killed his 13-year-old son, Anthony, Zecca was arrested on February 4th on a Collier County Sheriff's Office warrant. This was confirmed by the department in a social media post.
After a thorough police investigation, Zecca has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm and using a firearm while under the influence, according to local Florida authorities. The incident, which took place on July 19th and resulted in the teen's death, carries a potential sentence of life in prison for the aggravated manslaughter charge.
The 39-year-old, who is the son of Dog the Bounty Hunter's wife, Francie Frane, and her late husband, will appear for an arraignment on March 2nd, as per authorities who spoke to E! News. He does not have a known lawyer on file.
"This was a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy," Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said in a statement regarding Zecca's arrest. "Our detectives conducted an exhaustive and thorough investigation, examining every element of what happened through witness statements, forensic testing, subpoenas, search warrants, and more." The statement concluded by commending their "hard work and professionalism in uncovering the facts in an incredibly difficult case."
In the days following the death of his son, Zecca was placed on a psychiatric hold for 72 hours as he was "devastated" by the incident. A rep for the family told TMZ on July 21st that Zecca was heavily sedated at the time and could not speak to authorities about the matter. There were concerns that Zecca "might try" to take his own life.
Though Zecca himself has not publicly addressed the tragedy, a rep for Dog the Bounty Hunter and his wife previously expressed their grief over the devastating loss of Anthony. "We are grieving as a family over this incomprehensible tragic accident," a rep for the couple told TMZ in a statement. "We would ask for continued prayers as we grieve the loss of our beloved grandson, Anthony."
