Temecula Provocateur Ambush Interviews Gay Couple In West Hollywood, Suffers Broken Camera

TEMECULA, CA — A Temecula man who reportedly represented himself as a CNN reporter, then posed homophobic questions to a gay couple in West Hollywood until he was shoved may not get his day in court, but he might get enough in a GoFundMe to replace his broken camera.

In the meantime, the couple he ambushed on camera has raised nearly $200,000 on GoFundMe and garnered the support of West Hollywood's Vice Mayor.

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Ryley Niemi, 21, is a content creator on Instagram. He calls himself a "conservative political commentator who asks basic questions." He also cites Psalm 118:6 as his verse of choice on Instagram. "The LORD is with me, I will not be afraid." So far, he's published 160 posts and has 73,000 followers.

On April 17, he posted a video of himself with a microphone, interviewing David and Anthony Vulin, a couple walking their infant in West Hollywood. First, Niemi introduces himself as a news professional. Then, he asks if they are a couple. He asks them if they know that gay men are more likely to be child molesters. He further asks if they think it's weird that they have a baby and neither of them is a woman. His questions become increasingly personal and inflammatory.

Then, David Vulin appears to shove Niemi.

For Niemi, according to his GoFundMe, this was a "routine interaction." For the Vulins, this incident shattered their sense of safety in West Hollywood.

As Niemi and his photographer walk from the scene in search of police, things escalate further, according to the Los Angeles Times. Ultimately, Vukin is arrested by Los Angeles County deputies.

The viral footage shows the "rage baiting" done before the shove, Following reporting by the LA Times, questions have arisen as to whether the wrong person was arrested in this case.

According to the Times, the West Hollywood Vice Mayor, Danny Hang is personally requesting that the LA County District Attorney not file charges against Vulin. Meanwhile, the family has launched a GoFundMe for legal fees, and the unexpected situation that has disrupted their lives, their family and businesses. So far, they have amassed over $184,000 in support.

"My husband and I have fought incredibly hard to build the life we have today and to welcome our baby into it, which makes this moment especially painful and overwhelming," Anthony Vulin wrote on GoFundMe.

"Any support, whether through a donation or by sharing this page, truly means more than we can express," he added. "Raising awareness and showing up as a community matters deeply to us right now."

Meanwhile, Neimi is running a campaign to replace his camera, which was broken during the scuffle, and he says it has "operationally created a setback" for his Off the Record channel. They have gathered just over $1,800.