Florida Diver Allegedly Attacked Over Prime Lobster Spot
WHO:
Fox News - Michael Joseph Simpson, 51, is the accused individual.
NBC News - The victim is an 18-year-old diver.
NBC News - Simpson's attorney is Howard Srebnick.
WHAT:
NBC News - Simpson was originally charged with attempted felony murder, but the charge was changed to second-degree attempted murder during his court appearance.
NBC News - The judge agreed with Simpson's lawyers that the attempted felony murder charge was not accurate.
NBC News - Simpson allegedly stated, “I’ll turn the Brownie off if I want to,” before shutting off the victim's air supply.
NBC News - Cellphone video captured Simpson swimming back to his boat after the air supply was shut off.
Fox News - Simpson is charged with attempted murder, later changed to second-degree attempted murder.
Fox News - Simpson's bond is set at $10,000.
NBC News - Simpson allegedly cut off the air supply of the victim's Brownie Third Lung breathing apparatus.
NBC News - Witnesses reported yelling, "We have a diver down there you a--hole!" during the incident.
NBC News - The victim was gasping for air and appeared disoriented but was not injured.
WHERE:
Fox News - The incident occurred about a half-mile east of Fisher Island, Florida.
NBC News - The incident took place in Miami, Florida.
WHEN:
Fox News - The incident occurred shortly after 7 a.m. on July 29.
NBC News - Simpson surrendered to authorities on a Tuesday following the incident.
WHY:
NBC News - Simpson claimed the group was diving in "his spot" and warned that a larger boat was on its way before it arrived and anchored nearby.
Fox News - The confrontation began over a dispute regarding a lobster diving spot, with Simpson claiming the group was in "his spot."
NBC News - Simpson became angry after being warned to stay away from the Brownie Third Lung.
HOW:
NBC News - Simpson was seen swimming over to the Brownie and turning it off, which cut the victim’s air supply.
Fox News - Simpson allegedly approached the victim's boat at a high rate of speed and circled it before anchoring nearby.
NBC News - Simpson was seen swimming over to the Brownie and turning it off, which cut the victim’s air supply.
(UPDATED August 6, 2026 11:24 UTC)
In a recent court appearance, Simpson's charge was changed from attempted felony murder to second-degree attempted murder after the judge agreed with his lawyers that the initial charge was not accurate. Allegedly, before shutting off the victim's air supply, Simpson stated, “I’ll turn the Brownie off if I want to,” and cellphone video captured him swimming back to his boat afterward. Simpson claimed that the group was diving in "his spot" and had warned them about a larger boat that was approaching before it anchored nearby.
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(UPDATED August 6, 2026 05:07 UTC)
Michael Joseph Simpson, 51, has been charged with second-degree attempted murder after allegedly cutting off the air supply of an 18-year-old diver's breathing apparatus during a confrontation over a lobster diving spot near Fisher Island, Florida. Witnesses reported the victim gasping for air and appearing disoriented, but fortunately, he was not injured, while Simpson's bond has been set at $10,000. Simpson's attorney, Howard Srebnick, is representing him following his surrender to authorities shortly after the incident, which occurred shortly after 7 a.m. on July 29.