Florida man gets in argument over lobster diving spot. So, he allegedly decides to cut off fellow diver’s oxygen supply

An argument between Florida men over a lobster fishing spot turned into attempted murder after one of the men allegedly cut off another man’s oxygen supply. Michael Joseph Simpson has been accused of trying to murder another diver over the bitter fishing spot battle.

Simpson, 51, turned himself in to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County on Tuesday, reports the New York Post. He was subsequently booked that evening with an attempted murder charge, with his bond set at $10,000.

The incident, for which he has since been charged, occurred on the morning of July 29 near Fisher Island during the annual lobster mini-season. According to the arrest affidavit, a group’s fishing trip didn’t quite go as planned after Simpson approached the group’s boat at high speed and circled the vessel multiple times before coming to a stop 10 feet away and anchoring.

Simpson then allegedly accused the group on the boat of diving in “his spot.” He also warned that a larger boat was on its way before allegedly threatening to turn off the system providing oxygen for the 18-year-old diver who was fishing for lobster under the water.

Threats allegedly turn into actions

Investigators claimed that Simpson subsequently made good on his threat by jumping into the water and intentionally cutting off the diver’s oxygen supply. One witness apparently yelled, “We have a diver down there you a–hole!” One boat owner acted fast by jumping into the water and bringing the diver back up to the surface.

Thankfully, the diver avoided death by drowning and survived without any injuries, although they were apparently disoriented and gasping for air when they surfaced. Simpson allegedly left the scene before authorities arrived but later surrendered himself to police after he was named as a suspect.

The suspect’s attorney, Howard Srebnick, denied the allegations against his client, claiming that the investigators had ignored evidence and witnesses that would have supported Simpson’s version of events.

Srebnick denied the allegation that Simpson had interfered with anyone’s diving equipment, instead claiming that the 51-year-old had been diving from his own boat with his two children. The attorney claimed that video footage allegedly showed that the diver had become tangled in the air system while Simpson had not been anywhere near.

The attorney also disputed the claims that Simpson had fled the scene, maintaining that his client had idled his boat away from the main area to de-escalate the confrontation. He also said Simpson had cooperated with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, providing a statement before leaving.

Srebnick insisted that eyewitnesses supported this version of events before predicting that all charges would soon be dismissed.