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Florida Scoop · Aug 7, 2026

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*Miami Beach Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Allegedly Cutting Off Teen Diver’s Air Supply* A 51-year-old Miami Beach man is facing an attempted second-degree murder charge after police say he intentionally cut off a teenage diver’s air supply during a dispute over a lobster spot. Michael Joseph Simpson Jr. allegedly swam over and shut off the floating air compressor that was supplying oxygen to 18-year-old Hunter Cofer on the morning of July 29, about half a mile east of Fisher Island. According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the confrontation started when Simpson’s boat approached another vessel already anchored and claimed the location as his. Witnesses say Simpson threatened to turn the air unit off, then did it. Cofer’s boat captain jumped in and pulled the teen to the surface. The young diver was gasping for air, disoriented, and tangled in the hose and anchor line. Simpson later turned himself in. He posted $10,000 bond and has denied the allegations through his attorney.

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