A dispute over a popular lobster diving spot off the South Florida coast has led to an attempted murder charge after investigators say a man intentionally shut off another diver’s air supply while he was underwater.
According to The New York Post, 51-year-old Michael Joseph Simpson surrendered to authorities this week after being accused of confronting another group of divers during Florida’s annual lobster mini-season near Fisher Island.
Investigators allege Simpson approached another boat at a high speed before anchoring nearby and claiming the group was diving in “his spot.” Authorities say the argument escalated when Simpson allegedly threatened to shut off the air system supplying oxygen to an 18-year-old diver searching for lobsters.
According to investigators, Simpson then entered the water and turned off the diver’s surface-supplied air unit, forcing the boat’s owner to jump into the water and pull the diver to safety. The diver reportedly surfaced gasping for air and appeared disoriented but was not seriously injured.
Simpson later surrendered to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County, where he was booked on an attempted murder charge. His bond was set at $10,000.
Simpson’s attorney denied the allegations, maintaining that his client never tampered with the diver’s air supply or any diving equipment. The defense argued that video footage and eyewitness accounts support Simpson’s version of events and said they are confident the evidence will ultimately clear him. The attorney added that he expects prosecutors to dismiss the attempted murder charge after reviewing all of the available evidence.
The incident occurred during Florida’s annual lobster mini-season, a highly anticipated two-day event that allows recreational divers to harvest spiny lobsters before the regular season begins. The mini-season draws thousands of divers from across the state and beyond each summer, making some of South Florida’s most popular diving spots especially crowded.
