Two major incidents at start of lobster mini-season

  • Man dies after snorkeling incident  

A 51-year-old Tampa, Florida man died after losing consciousness in the water Wednesday just north of Key West.

The man’s identification is pending notification of next of kin.

The Sheriff’s Office was notified at approximately 12:30 p.m. that the man became unresponsive in the water near Bluefish Channel.

CPR was started by others in the boat and continued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The man was pronounced dead at Lower Keys Medical Center on Stock Island.

Foul play is not expected to be a factor.

The investigation is ongoing.

Autopsy results are pending.

  • Man dies after collapsing on boat

A 64-year-old Garland, Texas man died Wednesday after collapsing in a boat on the Gulfside just north of Mile Marker 3.

Gregg Leon Dietz was in standing in a 32-foot Fun in the Sun rental vessel when he collapsed at approximately 12:30 p.m.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission took Dietz to U.S. Coast Guard Station Key West.

He was then taken to Lower Keys Medical Center on Stock Island where he was pronounced dead.

Foul play is not expected to be a factor.

The investigation is ongoing.

Autopsy results are pending.

Man shot in Big Pine Key incident arrested

A 53-year-old Big Pine Key man who was shot last month by his stepson during a domestic incident was arrested Tuesday following his release from a Miami hospital.

William Zimmerman was charged with battery. The stepson has not been charged as the shooting appeared to be in self-defense.

The Sheriff’s Office was called to a residence on the 30000 block of Coconut Highway at approximately 7:30 p.m. on June 26 when the 25-year-old stepson called 911 to report his mother was being battered by Zimmerman.

The 25-year-old shot Zimmerman with a handgun while on the phone with 911.

The stepson began administering first-aid until he was ordered out of the residence by arriving Deputies. The stepson was cooperative with Deputies and Detectives throughout the incident.

He claimed he shot his stepfather to defend himself and his mother from immediate harm. He also stated his mother is a regular victim of domestic violence and that his stepfather routinely threatens to kill him, her and law enforcement. He added his stepfather is known to possess firearms.

The mother corroborated his story and had injuries indicative of being beaten. She confirmed her husband regularly beats her and threatens to kill her and her son. She was taken to Lower Keys Medical Center.

Zimmerman gave Detectives a conflicting story and claimed he was shot without warning, adding with expletives that once he was able to leave the hospital he was going to kill his stepson.

Zimmerman was booked into jail on Tuesday.

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