Full Breakdown
Miami-Dade Man Charged with Attempted Murder After Alleged Underwater Air-Supply Cut
8/7/2026, 7:59:13 AM
Core Event: Underwater Confrontation Leads to Attempted Murder Charge
On July 29, an 18-year-old lobster diver off Fisher Island was using a surface-supplied “Brownie” third-lung when Michael Joseph Simpson, 51, of Miami Beach allegedly swam to the unit after a verbal dispute and shut it off. The diver surfaced gasping for air but sustained no injury. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office filed an attempted second-degree murder charge; Simpson posted a $10,000 bond on August 5, 2026.
Background & Context: Task Force Involvement and Lobster Mini-Season
Simpson previously served on the county’s temporary Boater Safety and Bay Education Task Force, created in April 2025 and dissolved in May 2026. The incident occurred during Florida’s annual lobster mini-season, a two-day period when divers hunt spiny lobsters in designated bays.
Timeline of Key Developments
- July 29 – Simpson’s 39-foot “Contender” approached a lobster-diving vessel, anchoring 10 feet away; a verbal dispute over a “spot” escalated.
- July 29 – Simpson allegedly swam to the Brownie unit, said “I’ll turn the Brownie off if I want to,” and disabled the air supply.
- July 29 – The victim was pulled to the surface by his boat’s operator.
- August 5 – Bond hearing; the charge was reduced to attempted second-degree murder and bond set at $10,000.
Data & Statistics
- Defendant: Michael Joseph Simpson, 51, Miami Beach.
- Victim: Hunter Cofer, 18, using a Brownie third-lung system.
- Location: About a half-mile east of Fisher Island, Biscayne Bay.
- Time: Between 5:30 a.m. and 7:04 a.m. (affidavit).
- Boats: Simpson’s “Contender” and a Conch-branded vessel; victim’s boat anchored prior to the dispute.
- Bond: $10,000 (Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office).
Official Statements & Responses
- The Sheriff’s Office called the act “intentional” and pursued the attempted murder charge.
- Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s office expressed sympathy and noted the allegations run contrary to the task force’s mission.
- Simpson’s attorney, Howard Srebnick, maintains his client “never touched the tank” and expects eyewitnesses to corroborate that claim.
Criticism & Opposition
Defense counsel argues the arrest was premature, citing video that they say shows another individual entangled in the air-supply system and that exculpatory witnesses were not interviewed. Veteran diver Mike Zimmer emphasized that divers must respect each other’s spots to avoid escalation.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Fleeing the scene: The affidavit says Simpson fled after disabling the supply; his attorney claims he “idled his boat away” before cooperating with officers.
- Video interpretation: Some reports describe footage of Simpson swimming away; the defense asserts the same video shows a different person becoming entangled.
- Charge classification: Initial filings listed attempted felony murder; a judge later reduced it to attempted second-degree murder, reflecting differing legal views of intent.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'll turn the Brownie off if I want to,” — Simpson
- “People need to be respectful of people's spots. If somebody is in your spot, you didn't buy the spot, you don't own the spot,” — Mike Zimmer
- “He never touched the tank, and so this claim that he had something to do with the tank turning off is just false,” — Howard Srebnick
Why It Matters
The case underscores tensions between competitive lobster-diving practices and Florida’s boating-safety initiatives. As a former task-force member, Simpson’s prosecution raises questions about how informal territorial disputes are policed and whether current safety guidelines adequately address underwater conflicts.
