Florida’s lobster season apparently brought out the worst kind of territorial behavior: the kind that involves allegedly cutting off a teenager’s air supply.
Authorities say 51-year-old Michael Simpson was upset that another boat had anchored near what he considered his lobster-diving spot off Miami. He reportedly circled the boat, argued with the captain, then made a threat that should never leave someone’s mouth: “I’ll turn the air off if I want to.”
A teen was already underwater, breathing through a floating “third lung” system. Investigators say Simpson jumped in and intentionally shut it down. The boat captain dove in, pulled the teen up tangled in hoses and an anchor line, and the teen was gasping for air.
Simpson allegedly swam back to his boat and took off. The teen was not seriously hurt, thankfully. Simpson now faces an attempted second-degree murder charge.
Good luck ever getting a lobster dinner in prison Mr. Simpson.