Dog the Bounty Hunter's stepson on psychiatric hold after ‘killing son in accidental shooting'
The individuals representing the family told TMZ that the hold was for Zecca's protection, as there is reportedly some fear that he may try to hurt himself in his grief. The representatives also noted that his current state is grief from losing his son, and not an admission of guilt related to the shooting.
No charges have been brought against anyone involved as of this report.
Zecca reportedly has not been able to speak with his family or the police because he has been heavily sedated after the shooting.
Under Florida's Baker Act — also called the Florida Mental Health Act — people exhibiting serious signs of mental illness or who are acting in ways that indicate they could be a threat to themselves or others can be placed under an involuntary medical hold, though it is unclear if Zecca's hold is voluntary or involuntary.
The shooting occurred at Zecca's apartment in Naples, Florida on Saturday evening.
According to the Collier County Sheriff's Office, Anthony — Zecca's son — was shot in his neck, just above his sternum.
Deputies were dispatched to the apartment around 8:08 pm local time. Anthony was pronounced dead at 8:21 pm the same evening.
The firearm involved in the deadly shooting was sitting on the family's kitchen island.
Zecca, who works with his stepfather, Duane Chapman — also known as Dog the Bounty Hunter — is a noted gun enthusiast, and would take Anthony to gun ranges, often posting photos on Instagram, according to the New York Post.
Chapman and his sixth wife, Francie — Zecca's mother — issued a joint statement following Anthony's death.
"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 said.
The Collier County Sheriff's Office told The Daily Mail that an investigation is ongoing, and that the tragic event was an "isolated incident."
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional injury is a leading cause of death among U.S. children between the ages of 0 and 17, and firearms are a leading cause of such injuries, second only to motor vehicle accidents.
Approximately half of unintentional firearm injury deaths that affect children happen at their homes when guns are not properly locked away.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
36 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
I was deeply shocked by my tenant's bizarre act after she moved out - yet she's calling ME dramatic
A landlord was gobsmacked after discovering his tenant had taken his big-ticket items when she moved out - despite them being part of the furnished rental. Renter Katie was living in the apartment, which included essential appliances such as a fridge, washing machine and dishwasher. But when she moved out, she took the bulky gadgets, worth more than $2,000, with her, mistakenly believing they were hers to keep - leaving the landlord baffled, as they were his property. 'Hi, just wanted to say I've left the keys on the counter. Thanks for everything,' Katie said in her goodbye text message to the landlord. Baffled, he replied: 'Hi Katie. Just been to the property. Where is the fridge?' Appearing unfazed, she casually replied: 'Oh, I took it. Same with the washer and the dishwasher.' Taken aback by her response, the landlord said: 'Sorry? Those weren't yours to take. They were part of the tenancy.' Katie tried to justify taking the appliances, saying: 'Yeah but I used them every day. I assumed they were mine?' A landlord was gobsmacked after discovering his tenant had taken his big-ticket items when she moved out - despite them being part of the furnished rental As the products came with the rental property, he explained: 'They're listed on the inventory. You signed it. Can you return them please?' 'That's a bit awkward now. They're already in my new place,' Katie replied. He demanded she bring the gadgets back because 'they don't belong to you'. 'I genuinely thought they did. Like, I used them. They felt like mine,' Katie insisted. Furious with her response, he replied: 'Katie. You've taken items worth over a grand. This isn't a grey area.' Trying to find a way out of the situation, she suggested: 'Can't you just claim it on insurance or something? I'm not trying to cause drama.' However, the landlord gave her an ultimatum as he accused her of stealing. 'If I don't have them back by Friday, I'll have to treat it as theft. This is serious,' he said. Katie ended the conversation with: 'Wow. Over a few appliances? Bit extreme, don't you think?' It's unclear what happened between Katie and the landlord - but British property strategist Jack Rooke re-shared the pair's text exchange. 'She took over £1,000 ($A2040) worth of appliances… Then told the landlord he was being dramatic. And people still say landlords are the bad guys,' Jack said. 'That's a bit extreme. She's just robbed him.' His video has been viewed more than 770,000 times, with many divided over the situation. 'She's been paying the guy's mortgage for years, the least he can do is let her have a few white goods,' one suggested. 'To be fair, she's used them. Every day the new tenants won't want secondhand appliances - she's saved the landlord a job by removing them,' another shared. 'Dammit Katie you're making me agree with a landlord here,' one said. 'I never rent anything out furnished, literally they steal something every time. Over 10 years there was nothing left - no sofa, fridge, dryer, bed, table and chairs. Every single item stolen,' a tenant revealed. 'My last tenant left with my fridge. Exactly the same conversation,' one added.
The Guardian
37 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Two found dead in Arkansas state park in ‘suspected homicide', police say
Two people were found dead along a walking trail in a state park in Arkansas, authorities said on Sunday. A 43-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman were found dead at Devil's Den state park in Washington county, according to the Arkansas state police. Its criminal investigation unit is handling what it calls a 'suspected homicide'. The suspect is a white male wearing dark shorts, a dark tank top and weight-lifting type gloves. He was seen driving toward a park exit in a black, four-door sedan whose license plate may have been covered by electrical or duct tape. The vehicle may have been traveling on State Highway 170 or State Highway 220 near the park, police said. The victims' bodies were being taken to the Arkansas state crime lab, where the manner and cause of death will be determined.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Chaotic street brawl caught on video in Cincinnati as officials probe 'breakdown of order'
Disturbing footage posted online shows the moment an unidentified man was violently attacked by an unruly mob in downtown Cincinnati in what officials are now calling a 'breakdown of order.' The viral video of the assault Friday night at the intersection of Fourth and Elm Streets started with a verbal dispute between at least two men, according to police chief Teresa Theetge. The carnage left at least two people, an unidentified male and female victim, injured, with WKRC reporting that a good Samaritan rushed them to a local hospital in the aftermath. Their conditions remain unclear as cops work to identify and arrest all of those involved. The shocking footage, originally posted to the Signal 99 Facebook page, shows an unidentified assailant attacking a man in a white t-shirt from behind. The man in the white shirt then tries to run away into the street, when the original assailant and one of his friends punch and tackle him to the ground. At that point, more people joined in on the assault, stomping on the victim for nearly a minute as he lay in the middle of the street. When the barrage of attacks temporarily stops, the victim could be seen attempting to stand - but he immediately falls over in apparent disorientation as frustrated drivers honk their horns to get the mob to move out of the way. One man could then be heard shouting, 'My man's drunk.' Moments later, an unidentified woman in a black dress could be seen trying to check on the fallen man - when another woman in the crowd grabs her and a separate man in the crowd violently punches her. The impact caused the woman to fall to he ground, with her head slamming into the concrete. It soon becomes clear that she is unconscious as blood spews from her mouth. The viral video ends with bystanders attempting to move the woman out of the street. Another video obtained by WKRC appears to show the moments leading up to the attack. It shows the man in the white t-shirt talking with the group, when he suddenly slaps a man in a red t-shirt. It also shows another man being targeted by the unruly mob. 'I am in complete disgust waking up to the viral video many of you have now seen,' Chief Theetge said on Saturday, after mayoral candidate and Vice President JD Vance's half brother reposted the video - arguing that the current administration is not doing enough to address crime in the city. 'The behavior is nothing short of cruel and absolutely unacceptable,' she continued, vowing that investigators will work 'diligently to identify every individual involved in causing harm.' Authorities have already spoken to two people seen in the video, Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police President Ken Kober told WKRC. 'They're doing everything they can,' he insisted. 'These investigators have been working around the clock to identify everybody that's involved, to be able to locate these people. to be able to interview them, to be able to get a true picture of exactly what occurred.' Investigators have also received tips on some of the attackers' identities, Kober revealed. 'I would ask... that the public play a part in this, because stuff like this shouldn't happen in our city, but when it does, we need people to step forward, that way we can bring these people to justice.' In separate remarks to WLWT, Kober called the violence 'disgusting.' 'What's equally disgusting is those who chose to watch and record instead of calling 911, attempting to defuse the situation or render aid.' Hamilton Township Police Chief Scott Hughes argued the video represented a 'breakdown of order, decency and accountability' Cincinnati city councilman Mark Jeffreys also described the video as 'incredibly disturbing and horrific' as well as 'downright inhumane.' He added that he has spoken with other city officials and police to work on 'finding the individuals responsible and arresting them urgently.' 'This behavior cannot stand and will not represent our city,' Jeffreys said. 'Those responsible must be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.' Similarly, Hamilton Township Police Chief Scott Hughes argued on X: 'What happened on Fourth Street in Cincinnati wasn't just a fight, it was a breakdown of order, decency and accountability - caught on video and cheered on by a crowd. 'This isn't just Cincinnati's problem, it's ours too,' he said, arguing that such violent attacks do not just stay in the city because 'the perception of danger ripples across the region,' discouraging residents from visiting evens and attractions. 'Families stop going out. Businesses stop investing. and cities lose the very momentum they worked to build,' Hughes wrote. 'This video isn't just another viral moment. It's a warning shot,' he concluded. 'We can either raise our voices or watch silence fund the chaos.' Cincinnati police data released on July 21 shows that the central business district and riverfront area where the assault took place has seen a 25 percent increase in violence compared to last year. It also shows that there were 12 aggravated assaults in the city between January 1 through July 21, compared to 16 during the same time period last year.
