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Teen wrongfully ID'd as SoCal sea lion attacker responds online
New York Post • • nation
Key Points:
- Ryland Cuttitta, an 18-year-old from California, has been wrongly identified on social media as the man seen kicking a sea lion in a viral video, leading to death threats and online harassment against him.
- The confusion began after Cuttitta sarcastically commented "clearly self-defense" on a repost of the video, which some users misinterpreted as an admission of guilt.
- Cuttitta and his family have denied any involvement, noting physical differences between him and the attacker, and have reported the threats to local police and federal investigators.
- The incident highlights the risks of online vigilante justice and mistaken identity on social media, prompting the family to advocate for caution in such situations.
- Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration continues to investigate the original sea lion assault under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
