MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A man is facing an attempted murder charge stemming from an incident on the water during lobster mini season.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, a man identified as 51-year-old Michael Simpson turned off a juvenile diver’s air supply while the victim was in the water searching for lobsters.

It happened on July 29 at approximately 7:04 a.m. approximately a half mile east of Fisher Island.

Deputies said the incident began with a fight over a diving spot.

According to investigators, the victim was under the water when the owner of the vessel he arrived with observed another boat approaching at a high rate of speed.

The boat owner told deputies that when the vessel eventually stopped and anchored nearby, the captain, later identified as Simpson, started a verbal dispute claiming that they were in his spot.

Deputies said at one point, Simpson became irate and threatened to turn off the breathing system that was supplying air to the diver in the water. He then made good on his threat, jumping in the water and turning it off.

The boat owner then immediately jumped in the water and pulled the victim to the surface, according to MDSO.

After being brought to safety, the victim was observed “gasping for air, appeared disoriented, and did not understand what had occurred,” according to an arrest form.

Deputies said Simpson fled the area after turning the machine off.

No injures were reported in the incident.

Detectives say Simpson voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Tuesday.

As of Tuesday night, he was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with bond listed as “to be set.”

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