Unbelievable! TV Star’s Stepson in Deadly Scandal

A Florida man faces life in prison after being charged with fatally shooting his 13-year-old son while impaired by alcohol and marijuana, demonstrating the catastrophic consequences when firearms and substance abuse collide in a home.

Story Highlights

Gregory Zecca arrested February 2026 for July 2025 shooting death of son Anthony while impaired with BAC of 0.116
Prosecutors charge Zecca with aggravated manslaughter and firearm use under the influence, seeking pretrial detention
Sheriff calls tragedy “preventable,” emphasizing dangers of mixing firearms, alcohol, and drugs in homes with children
Case highlights critical importance of responsible gun ownership and parental duty to protect children from negligence

Arrest Follows Seven-Month Investigation Into Fatal Shooting

Gregory Anthony Zecca, 39, was arrested on February 3, 2026, at his Naples, Florida apartment on charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm and use of a firearm while under the influence. The charges stem from the July 19, 2025, shooting death of his 13-year-old son Anthony during an evening when Zecca was watching a UFC match. Collier County Sheriff’s Office investigators spent months conducting an exhaustive probe that included forensic analysis, witness interviews, and toxicology testing before securing an arrest warrant. The delayed prosecution reflects the thoroughness required to build a case against what was initially reported as an accidental shooting.

Impairment and Reckless Gun Handling Led to Tragedy

On the evening of July 19, 2025, Zecca had consumed alcohol for several hours at a local establishment, purchased additional alcohol, and used both alcohol and marijuana at his apartment on Sumter Grove Way. Toxicology results confirmed his blood alcohol content was 0.116, well above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08. While watching the UFC fight with his son, Zecca repeatedly handled his Sig Sauer P365 9mm handgun, drawing it from his waistband and dry-firing it. Although he initially rendered the weapon safe by clearing the magazine and chamber, he subsequently reloaded the firearm. A single shot discharged, fatally striking 13-year-old Anthony.

Sheriff Emphasizes Preventable Nature of Child’s Death

Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk described the incident as a “heartbreaking and preventable tragedy” resulting from “mixing firearms, alcohol and drugs.” Deputies responding to the 911 call found Zecca performing CPR on his bleeding son while smelling of alcohol, with visible marijuana present in the home. The gun was recovered from the kitchen island. This case underscores a fundamental principle of responsible gun ownership that every Second Amendment supporter recognizes: firearms require sober judgment and strict safety protocols, especially around children. The tragic outcome represents not an argument against gun rights, but against the reckless disregard of basic safety responsibilities that gun owners must maintain.

Prosecutors filed a motion for pretrial detention following Zecca’s first court appearance on February 5, 2026, at the Collier County Courthouse. The aggravated manslaughter charge carries a potential life sentence, reflecting the severity of causing a child’s death through criminal negligence with a firearm. Zecca’s arraignment is scheduled for March 2026. His stepfather-in-law, reality television personality Duane “Dog” Chapman, married Zecca’s mother Francie Frane Chapman in 2021. The Chapman family issued a statement in July 2025 expressing grief over the loss of their “beloved grandson Anthony,” describing it as an “incomprehensible tragic accident,” but has not commented since the arrest.

Case Sets Precedent for Prosecuting Impaired Gun Negligence

This prosecution could establish an important precedent for holding adults criminally accountable when impairment and firearms result in children’s deaths. While many such incidents are ruled accidental, this case demonstrates that thorough investigation can prove criminal negligence when adults choose to handle weapons while under the influence in the presence of minors. For conservatives who value both gun rights and personal responsibility, this case illustrates that the Second Amendment comes with serious obligations. Parents and gun owners must protect children through sober handling, proper storage, and recognition that impairment eliminates the judgment required for safe firearm use.

The tragedy serves as a stark reminder to all gun owners that constitutional rights demand constitutional responsibility. Every firearm owner must recognize that alcohol, drugs, and guns form a lethal combination that no responsible adult should ever permit in their home, particularly around children. This young boy’s death was entirely preventable through basic adherence to safety principles that the vast majority of law-abiding gun owners follow faithfully. The prosecution of Zecca reinforces that negligence resulting in a child’s death will face serious consequences, protecting both public safety and the integrity of responsible gun ownership that forms the foundation of Second Amendment rights.