JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (WKBW) — What began as an effort to protect minors took a dangerous and serious turn Saturday.
Jamestown Police responded to reports of a physical altercation between two individuals inside a local business.
Social media influencer Niky Sal works with Ethan Haskins and Paul Oyer to confront alleged online predators. The trio tried to confront 43-year-old James Morris at a Tim Hortons in Jamestown, but during the encounter, Morris allegedly attacked Sal with a knife.
Officers later found Morris near the scene and took him into custody. Sal suffered a large laceration to their arm and was taken to UPMC. He was later transferred to UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pennsylvania.
WATCH: Jamestown man charged after alleged stabbing during physical altercation
"The one that stabbed Niky is believed to be the one that is being exposed," Haskins said. "When Niky started that confrontation, the other friend stood up and said no, this isn't happening…and it just got real aggressive, which led to the physical altercation."
Haskins and Oyer said Sal will undergo surgery once the swelling in his arm subsides.
"We believe within the next day or so they're going to be getting with the doctors to see about the mobility and feeling in his hand," Haskins added.
Morris was charged with first-degree assault, tampering with physical evidence and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and taken to Chautauqua County Jail.
"With what happened yesterday, it's just an eye opener to us and the community to see how dangerous these people online can actually be, especially when there is a minor at risk," Haskins said.
We spoke with Sal earlier this month after his group confronted a man who allegedly expected to meet a minor at Walden Galleria in Cheektowaga.
"If I could save at least one child from getting into a serious matter like this, and getting hurt, or sexually assaulted, that's our mission," Sal told 7 News earlier this month. "We're here to save the kids, to prevent this stuff, to spread education and awareness."
WATCH: Man confronted at Walden Galleria after allegedly trying to meet minor
