MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A man is facing an attempted second-degree murder charge stemming from an incident on the water during lobster mini season.
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, a man identified as Michael Simpson, 51, of Miami Beach, turned off an 18-year-old diver’s air supply while the victim was in the water searching for lobsters.
It happened at approximately 7:04 a.m. on July 29, approximately a half mile east of Fisher Island.
Deputies said the incident began with a fight over a diving spot.
According to investigators, the victim was under the water when the owner of the boat he arrived with observed another boat approaching at a high rate of speed.
The boat owner told deputies that when the boat eventually stopped and anchored nearby, the captain, later identified as Simpson, started a verbal dispute, claiming that they were in his spot.
Deputies said at one point, Simpson became irate and threatened to turn off the breathing system that was supplying air to Hunter Cofer, the diver in the water. He then made good on his threat, jumping in the water and turning it off, authorities said.
The boat owner then immediately jumped into the water and pulled Cofer to the surface, according to MDSO.
After being brought to safety, Cofer was observed “gasping for air, appeared disoriented, and did not understand what had occurred,” an arrest form stated.
Deputies said Simpson fled the area after turning the machine off.
No injures were reported in the incident.
Detectives said Simpson voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Tuesday.
Simpson’s attorney, Howard Srebnick, said his client will plead not guilty and denied the allegations.
“He never touched the tank, and so this claim that he had something to do with the tank turning off is just false,” Srebnick said. “We have eyewitnesses that can confirm that Mr. Simpson never touched the tank.”
Cofer’s family told Local 10 News that he is studying to become a paramedic and is still processing what happened. He has not made a return to the water since the incident occurred.
Simpson posted a $10,000 bond on Wednesday.
He exited the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center Wednesday evening, telling media members, “Please allow both sides to come out.”
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