13-year-old boy died after his drunk father, who was “practicing drawing” a gun from his waistband, shot him in the chest; father charged
Florida – In a heartbreaking case out of Florida, a 39-year-old man, identified as G. Zecca, has been charged months after authorities say he fatally shot his own 13-year-old son in the chest while intoxicated during what was described as a reckless attempt at firearm handling inside an apartment.
Zecca was arrested Tuesday and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm and using a firearm while under the influence, according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators say the shooting occurred on July 19, 2025, inside an apartment belonging to Zecca’s friend, identified as C. Jones. Authorities said Zecca was drunk and under the influence of marijuana when the weapon discharged, killing his son. Toxicology results later showed Zecca’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.116, well above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08, and that his blood also tested positive for THC.
According to reports, the events leading up to the shooting began earlier that evening when Zecca, Jones, their girlfriends, and Zecca’s teenage son went bowling together. After leaving the alley, the group returned to Jones’ apartment where the adults continued drinking alcohol and purchased additional drinks. Police said the men eventually separated from the women. Zecca’s son joined the women and told them that his father and Jones were “roughhousing.” At some point, the boy returned to the men, who had moved into the kitchen area. It was there, investigators say, that the three were “practicing drawing the firearms from their waistbands.”
Jones initially told police that he and Zecca were “dry firing” the gun and that Zecca had checked to make sure it was unloaded. However, Jones later gave conflicting statements about whether he saw Zecca insert a magazine into his 9 mm handgun. What is clear, according to investigators, is that the gun discharged. Zecca told police he was “handling the gun and it went off,” striking his son in the chest. The boy immediately collapsed. Jones told authorities he saw blood coming from the child’s mouth as Zecca rushed to his side. Jones then placed the 911 call.
While the shooting occurred inside, the two girlfriends had stepped outside the apartment to walk the dog. They told police they heard a muffled “pop” but initially believed it might have been fireworks. Moments later, they heard “frantic screaming.” When the women tried to return inside, Jones stopped them at the door and told them, “You don’t want to see this.” First responders soon arrived and found the boy unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies recovered two firearms from the kitchen, including Zecca’s 9 mm handgun. Police noted a strong odor of alcohol on Zecca. Jones also confirmed that both he and Zecca had been drinking and smoking marijuana that evening.
Court documents noted that Zecca had a long history of working around firearms, including time spent around his stepfather, D. Chapman, widely known as Dog the Bounty Hunter. Investigators emphasized that despite this experience, Zecca handled a loaded firearm while impaired and in the presence of a child. Authorities say that combination proved fatal.
Zecca now faces serious felony charges that could carry decades in prison if he is convicted. His arraignment is scheduled for March 2, where he is expected to formally enter a plea. The case has drawn attention to the dangers of mixing firearms, alcohol, and children — and how a single moment of recklessness can permanently destroy a family. What began as a casual night out ended with a father in custody and a young boy dead, leaving behind a tragedy that investigators say was entirely preventable.
