My Team, Myself & Cam Higby Violently Assaulted On Skid Row

In this video, Nick Shirley documents an encounter with individuals he alleges are engaged in illegal petition fraud on Skid Row in Los Angeles. According to Shirley, his team was investigating petition workers who he claims were allegedly offering cash and cigarettes in exchange for petition signatures—activities he asserts violate California law.

Shirley’s investigation begins with his team confronting petition workers about their practices. In the video, Shirley alleges that workers were allegedly soliciting signatures in exchange for monetary compensation and cigarettes. When Shirley’s team questions one individual about the petition and asks to examine it, the person allegedly denies breaking the law, claiming he gives away cash rather than exchanging it for signatures.

According to Shirley, the situation escalated when his team decided to follow the petition workers to their vehicle. Shirley alleges that approximately three individuals became aggressive and allegedly attempted to physically attack his team members. During this confrontation, Shirley claims he deployed pepper spray in response to what he describes as an assault on one of his camera operators. Shirley states that one of his filmers was allegedly punched in the neck, and another team member was allegedly exposed to pepper spray.

In the aftermath, Shirley’s team appears disoriented and searching for another member, James O’Keefe. Multiple team members describe their injuries on camera—one individual reports losing his voice, while another states he got pepper spray in his mouth. Shirley characterizes the encounter as a coordinated attack by individuals he alleges are engaging in illegal petition fraud.

When Shirley’s team encounters law enforcement at the scene, they ask whether the petition workers will be arrested. According to the video, the officer declines to comment on potential enforcement action. Shirley reiterates his allegation that the individuals are “engaging in illegal petition fraud,” though the officer does not respond substantively.

This incident underscores tensions between citizen journalists investigating alleged fraud and subjects of their investigations. Shirley’s documentation raises questions about petition fraud enforcement in California and the safety risks that arise when investigative confrontations escalate into physical altercations.

In Nick Shirley’s Own Words

“For signatures, cigarettes for signatures is against the law in California.”

“A group of them attacked us. They have a car. I saw a DM thing on their car.”

“We followed them to their car to show the petitions and they got even more aggressive and they tried to jump us.”