A dispute over a lobster diving spot off the coast of Miami escalated to allegations of attempted murder when a 51-year-old man allegedly cut off an 18-year-old diver's oxygen supply. The incident occurred on the morning of July 29 during Florida's recreational lobster mini season.
According to a criminal complaint, Steven Del Sol, operating a lobster fishing boat, was anchored at a known diving location with 18-year-old Hunter Coffer preparing to enter the water. A second vessel, identified as a Conch boat operated by Michael Simpson, approached rapidly and began circling Del Sol's boat before anchoring approximately 10 feet away. Arguments ensued, with those aboard the Conch boat claiming Del Sol had taken their spot.
As the confrontation continued, another boat, a 39-foot Contender, arrived and also circled Del Sol's vessel. Coffer entered the water, using a "brownie third lung" breathing apparatus, which floats on the surface and supplies air via tubes. Del Sol later told police he warned a minor on the Contender to stay away from the apparatus, prompting Simpson to state, "I'll turn the brownie off if I want to," the complaint detailed.
Simpson then allegedly swam to the "brownie" device and intentionally turned it off, cutting off Coffer's air supply while he was submerged. Witnesses on Del Sol's boat shouted at Simpson, pointing out that a diver was underwater. Del Sol then entered the water and pulled Coffer to the surface by the air tubes. Coffer was reportedly disoriented and gasping for air upon surfacing.
Video footage captured by a passenger on Del Sol's boat appears to show Simpson swimming back to his Conch boat. Simpson and the Contender boat then departed the scene. Police identified Simpson through photographic and video evidence, and he surrendered to authorities days later.
Simpson was initially arrested on a charge of attempted felony murder. During a court appearance, the charge was reduced to second-degree attempted murder. He pleaded not guilty and posted a $10,000 bond. Simpson previously served as a volunteer member of Miami-Dade County's Boater Safety and Bay Education Task Force.
A spokesperson for Simpson's family has denied the allegations, stating that Simpson "never came into contact with, or interfered with, anyone's diving equipment" and that "Numerous eyewitnesses on two separate boats directly contradict the allegations." The statement further claimed that Del Sol fell off his boat and became entangled in his own equipment, with Simpson nowhere near the diving device. The spokesperson asserted that Simpson has a reputation as a responsible boater and looks forward to clearing his name in court.