The family of Matthew Salazar filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Club Aqua LLC, the parent company of Tejano’s Club 97 at 5401 Avenue Q.
According to the lawsuit, family members “seek damages in excess of $1,000,000.”
Salazar died January 27, 2015 – one day after he was punched in the face and fell down a flight of stairs. Christopher J. Trevino, age 28 at the time, was arrested for manslaughter. He was later released from the Lubbock County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond.
The criminal case against Trevino is still pending.
“The danger of violent criminal activity occurring on Defendant’s premises was both unreasonable and foreseeable,” the lawsuit said. “[Tejano’s Club 97] knew or should have known that the premises attracted violent criminal activity.”
The lawsuit laid out several allegations against the club, including “failing to keep a proper lookout for Matthew Salazar’s safety,” and “failing to adequately warn Matthew Salazar of the dangerous condition.”
The plaintiffs are Salazar’s mother, wife, and two daughters.
The lawsuit said, “During his lifetime, Matthew Salazar was an industrious, affectionate, loving, compassionate, energetic, cooperative, patient, attentive, and good father…”
Attempts by EverythingLubbock.com to reach Tejano’s Club 97 to invite comment have not yet been successful.