The stepson of Duane “Canine the Bounty Hunter” Chapman was arrested on Tuesday — greater than six months after he unintentionally shot and killed his teenage son whereas inebriated and marijuana, police stated.
Gregory Anthony Zecca, 39, was charged with aggravated manslaughter after he mistakenly shot and killed his 13-year-old son, Anthony, at a UFC watch celebration at a buddy’s residence in Naples, Florida on July 19, based on cops.
Officers with the Collier County Sheriff’s Workplace took Zecca into custody early Tuesday after their six-month lengthy investigation revealed he was allegedly drunk and excessive when he shot his son.
Police stated in a information launch that Zecca was ingesting closely all through the day and, ultimately, ingested marijuana whereas he and his son had been watching the UFC struggle.
Whereas they had been there, Zecca brandished his firearm close to his son a number of instances, together with “training drawing it from his waistband and dry-firing” with no journal within the chamber, the discharge stated.
Sooner or later, although, the journal was inserted again into the chamber. Zecca then “discharged a single shot, fatally hanging” Anthony, police stated.
When police responded to the capturing, they instantly famous a pungent stench of alcohol and noticed marijuana laid out “in plain view.”
Officers examined Zecca’s blood alcohol stage, which had reached a staggering 0.116 — practically two instances the authorized restrict in Florida.
“This case underscores that devastating tragedy that may end result from mixing firearms, alcohol and medicines. Our hearts are with everybody affected by this loss,” Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk stated.
After the deadly capturing, Zecca was positioned on a psychiatric maintain as his household stated they had been involved he would try to take his personal life if left unattended.
It’s unclear when he might have been discharged from the psychiatric facility.
Zecca was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a kid with a firearm and utilizing a firearm whereas beneath the affect. The aggravated manslaughter cost alone may land him in jail for all times.
Chapman’s lawyer stated that the scenario “stays a devastating household tragedy.”
“We consider Greg beloved his son deeply, and that this was a tragic accident — one which has left many lives completely modified, particularly Anthony’s, and Greg’s,” lawyer Joseph Lesniak stated in an announcement to TMZ.
Chapman married Zecca’s mom, Francie Frane, in 2021 shortly after the couple misplaced their respective spouses to most cancers.
The 2 households bonded over their shared Christian religion, grief journeys and Chapman’s gun-toting bounty hunter way of life.
Zecca even joined Chapman’s bounty group and shared numerous posts of himself and Anthony training at gun ranges.
Chapman has 13 different kids between six completely different ladies, 4 of whom had been earlier wives.
In September, Chapman’s cop son, 24-year-old Garry Chapman, was briefly fired for his involvement in a high-speed chase that killed a 17-year-old boy in Alabama.
Gary was reinstated on Oct. 13 after he filed a $10 million wrongful termination lawsuit towards the Priceville Police Division.
