Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman and his wife Francie Frane are facing a devastating family tragedy after their 13-year-old grandson, Anthony Zecca, was accidentally shot and killed by his father in what authorities are calling an “incomprehensible tragic accident.”
The heartbreaking incident occurred Saturday evening in Naples, Florida. Local law enforcement responded to a call at the family’s apartment around 8:08 p.m., where Anthony was found deceased. According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting is being treated as an isolated incident, and no arrests have been made.
A Life Cut Short in a Moment
Anthony was the son of Gregory Zecca, Francie’s 38-year-old son from a previous marriage, who accidentally discharged the firearm, according to TMZ. The investigation is ongoing, but authorities have confirmed it was a freak accident.
Gregory, a gun enthusiast and frequent collaborator on Dog’s bounty hunting team, had previously shared photos of himself and Anthony at a shooting range. The young boy was reportedly close with his grandparents and had spent the summer of 2023 with them, sharing moments filled with faith, family, and curiosity.
Last year, Anthony recalled feeling what he believed was the Holy Spirit while visiting his grandmother in the hospital. “It hit me [on my chest]… and then again from the back,” he said, describing a sudden wind that came even though the doors were closed. “Meemaw said, ‘It was the Holy Spirit.’”
In addition to his faith, Anthony loved dancing to Usher, attending Comic Con, and dressing up with characters like Predator. He was full of life, imagination, and energy. He was who will be remembered for both his innocence and his spirit.
A Family Brought Together by Grief, Now Grieving Again
Dog and Francie shared a joint statement following the tragedy:
“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 couple, who married in 2021, were themselves bonded by past heartbreak. Duane lost his beloved wife Beth Chapman in 2019 to throat cancer, and Francie lost her husband Bob just months earlier. Their shared grief brought them together in what they’ve described as a deeply healing partnership.
“We understood the pain that the other one was feeling,” Francie told Entertainment Tonight in 2020. “We could cry with each other and talk about what we were feeling… it brought us together in this amazing way.”
Despite the heavy loss, the Chapmans have continued to focus on their shared mission, both in family and in faith. On November 15, they are still scheduled to host their 3rd Annual F.U.S.E. Restored Gala, a human trafficking benefit held in Cape Coral, Florida.
The couple’s story has always been marked by resilience. But today, they’re simply mourning. A young life, full of promise and love, has been lost far too soon. And for now, Dog and Francie are asking only for prayers.
