An influencer known for his efforts to catch alleged child predators is facing charges after being stabbed during an altercation with a person he accused of trying to meet with a minor, according to reports.
Nicholas Attalla, who goes by “Niky Sal” on social media, was reportedly stabbed while confronting two men at a Tim Hortons in Jamestown, New York, in December 2025, according to police, WIVB-TV reported. Attalla, of Pennsylvania, tries to catch potential child predators by posing as minors online.
He’s described as a “child predator hunter” on his Facebook page, which has nearly 50,000 followers.
While at the Tim Hortons in December, Attalla accused one of the men, James Morris, of trying to meet with a 14-year-old girl and allegedly threatened him, according to Jamestown police, per WIVB-TV.
As a result, a fight broke out between Attalla, Morris and the other man, leading to Morris allegedly stabbing Attalla, police said, according to WGRZ. Attalla was hospitalized in connection with the incident.
The physical altercation endangered a 1-year-old child who had been at the Tim Hortons with their family, according to police, per the TV station.
Now, Attalla is charged with second-degree criminal nuisance, endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree assault, according to authorities, WIVB-TV reported.
Morris was previously charged in January with first-degree assault, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and tampering with physical evidence, according to the outlet. Like Attalla, Morris and the other man involved in the alleged altercation, Eric Spencer, have since been charged with second-degree criminal nuisance and endangering the welfare of a child.
During the investigation, authorities didn’t find any evidence indicating Attalla, Morris or Spencer had communicated with each other on their phones before the Tim Hortons encounter, according to Erie News Now.
Attalla turned himself in to Jamestown police on Friday, September 4, according to the outlet. He required surgery as a result of the stabbing, according to a GoFundMe created in December to support him with his medical bills.
The page said “Niky was stabbed during a catch” and that he had “no feeling in his arm” in December.
On Attalla’s “Niky Sal” Facebook page, he shares videos of alleged child predator “catches.”
“This page is for educational purposes and to help spread awareness of online child predators,” his profile reads.
Information regarding whether Attalla, Morris or Spencer had retained legal counsel or entered pleas wasn’t immediately available.
Jamestown is about a 70-mile drive southwest from Buffalo.
