Social media influencer Nicholas Attalla, better known as Niky Sal, has been charged in connection with a violent December 2025 confrontation in Jamestown, New York, during which he was stabbed after confronting two men he believed were involved in an attempted meeting with a minor.
Attalla, who has built an online following through videos in which he poses as a minor to identify people he believes are potential child predators, turned himself in to Jamestown police on Sept. 4, 2026. He was subsequently charged with third-degree assault, criminal nuisance and endangering the welfare of a child and pleaded not guilty.
Confrontation at Jamestown Tim Hortons Turns Violent
The incident took place at a Tim Hortons in Jamestown in December 2025. According to authorities, Attalla confronted James Morris and Eric Spencer after an online interaction that he believed involved an attempt to meet a minor.
Police said Attalla had been posing online as a 14-year-old girl. Investigators later determined that he had not adequately confirmed the identity of the person he believed he was confronting.
The encounter quickly escalated into a physical fight. Authorities said Morris stabbed Attalla, who was subsequently hospitalized and required surgery.
Morris had previously been charged with first-degree assault, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and tampering with physical evidence. He has also pleaded not guilty.
Child Endangerment Charges Follow Investigation
The investigation took on another dimension after police determined that the altercation put bystanders at risk. A family with a 1-year-old child was reportedly caught in the middle of the confrontation.
Morris and Spencer were subsequently also charged with second-degree criminal nuisance and endangering the welfare of a child.
Authorities further said investigators found no evidence that Attalla, Morris and Spencer had communicated with one another by phone before the confrontation. That finding raised questions about whether Attalla had correctly identified the person he intended to confront.
Attalla’s latest charges are connected to the circumstances surrounding the fight rather than an allegation that he was involved in attempting to harm a child.
Niky Sal Has Built a Following Through Predator-Sting Videos
Attalla’s social media presence centers on videos aimed at exposing people he believes are attempting to engage with minors online. His content has attracted tens of thousands of followers and focuses on raising awareness about online child safety.
Following the stabbing, a GoFundMe campaign was established to help cover Attalla’s medical expenses and recovery. The fundraiser has collected more than $12,000 toward a $20,000 goal.
The case remains ongoing, and the criminal allegations against Attalla and the other individuals involved have not been resolved in court.
