A self-styled “predator hunter” has been charged over a vigilante-style sting that ended with him being stabbed.
Influencer Nicholas Attalla, 34, better known online as Niky Sal, was left with a large gash to his arm following a violent confrontation inside a coffee shop.
The social media personality has amassed tens of thousands of followers by posing as children online and confronting people he accuses of being predators.
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But nine months after the bloody clash, Attalla has now been charged with third-degree assault, second-degree criminal nuisance and endangering the welfare of a child, as reported by Need To Know.
He handed himself in to police on 4 September and has pleaded not guilty.
The charges stem from a confrontation at a Tim Hortons in Jamestown, New York, US, on 13 December last year.
Police said Attalla had been posing online as a 14-year-old girl when he began communicating with an unknown person who claimed to be a 16-year-old boy.
The pair exchanged messages and spoke on the phone before arranging to meet at the coffee shop.
Attalla then entered the restaurant and confronted James Morris, 43, and Eric Spencer, 42.
According to police, Attalla accused Morris of trying to meet a 14-year-old girl and threatened him based “solely on the phone conversation and his voice”.
But investigators later searched phones and said they found no evidence Attalla had been communicating with either Morris or Spencer before the confrontation.
A fight then erupted inside the restaurant.
Police said numerous customers were put at risk during the melee, including a one-year-old child.
The brawl reportedly spilt directly into the youngster and their family.
During the confrontation, Morris allegedly stabbed Attalla, leaving him with a serious arm injury.
Attalla was taken to hospital for treatment.
A fundraiser launched following the incident said: “While on a catch today, Niky was stabbed.
“He currently has no feeling in his arm and is going to need medical intervention.”
More than $12,000 (£8,850) was raised towards his medical costs.
Morris was arrested following the fight and charged with first-degree assault, tampering with physical evidence and a weapons offence.
He has pleaded not guilty.
Morris and Spencer have also since been charged with second-degree criminal nuisance and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the brawl.
Attalla describes himself online as a “child predator hunter” and films confrontations with people he accuses of targeting youngsters.
His Facebook page says his content is intended to raise awareness of online child predators.
Detectives spent months investigating the coffee shop confrontation, including interviewing witnesses, examining footage and searching mobile phones, before the latest charges were brought.
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