Conservative Influencer Attacked by Gay Couple in West Hollywood

Incident occurred after influencer questioned couple's parenting abilities

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:35pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged camera lens reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a violent confrontation.The damaged camera equipment at the center of the violent clash between a conservative influencer and a gay couple in West Hollywood.Los Angeles Today

A conservative social media influencer was allegedly attacked by a gay couple in West Hollywood after questioning whether they were fit to be parents. The influencer, Ryley Niemi, was interviewing the couple with a baby when one of the men assaulted him, leading to the arrest of the attacker on felony charges.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between conservative and LGBTQ+ communities, particularly around issues of parenting and family rights. It also raises questions about the limits of free speech and when questioning someone's parenting abilities crosses the line into harassment.

The details

According to reports, Niemi and his crew from the 'Off The Record USA' Instagram account were interviewing the gay couple about adoption rights when Niemi questioned whether they were fit to be parents. This led one of the men to attack Niemi, damaging camera equipment in the process. Niemi said he suffered injuries from the assault. The man who attacked Niemi, identified as David Vullin, was arrested and charged with a felony for the damage to the camera.

  • The incident occurred on April 16, 2026.
  • Vullin was arrested and booked following the attack.

The players

Ryley Niemi

A conservative social media influencer who was attacked during the incident.

David Vullin

One of the gay men involved in the incident who was arrested and charged with a felony for damaging camera equipment.

Anthony Vullin

David Vullin's husband, who is a member of the West Hollywood Business License Commission.

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What they’re saying

“They said he broke a camera, which he didn't. Now we have to fight that.”

— Anthony Vullin, Husband of David Vullin

“(To be honest) walking up to a gay couple with a newborn and implying they're more likely to harm their child is pretty out of line. Sure, these statistics are worth discussing, but targeting and alleging this young family? This is straight up harassment.”

— Anonymous commenter

“LOCK THEM UP AND TAKE THE KID AWAY FOR THEIR SAFETY!”

— Anonymous commenter

What’s next

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is continuing to investigate the incident, and Niemi said he is pursuing justice through legal channels.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between conservative and LGBTQ+ communities, particularly around sensitive issues like parenting. While free speech is important, the line between questioning someone's abilities and harassment can be blurry, and the safety and wellbeing of children should always be the top priority.