Nearly a year after a concertgoer was stabbed outside Paper Tiger, the alleged victim has filed a civil suit in Bexar County. The complaint, filed last Thursday, names the man accused in the attack and the venue’s parent company and seeks money for ongoing medical care and pain and suffering.
According to MySA, the plaintiff, Nikolai Ray Gonzales, says he suffered multiple stab wounds to his arm, side, and back during the Dec. 27, 2024, show. The suit names 36-year-old John Guerrero as the alleged assailant and lists Empty Stomach — the hospitality group behind Paper Tiger — as a defendant, alleging negligence and asking the court to order payment of medical bills and other damages.
How It Unfolded
San Antonio police say the stabbing followed an altercation inside Paper Tiger that spilled into the audience. Officers found the victim outside the venue with multiple stab wounds and detained a suspect at the scene. Local reporting shows witnesses pointed to Guerrero, who was still at the club and in possession of a knife when officers arrived. Court and jail records indicate Guerrero was booked Dec. 28 and later posted a $100,000 bond, according to KSAT.
Indictment And Civil Case
Prosecutors presented the case to a grand jury, and Guerrero was indicted on a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, the court filing shows. The criminal indictment and Gonzales’ civil suit now move on separate tracks: prosecutors pursue the criminal charge while the plaintiff seeks a judge or jury to assign civil liability. As outlined by MySA, the civil complaint seeks compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and future care related to the injuries.
Paper Tiger’s Footprint
Paper Tiger, at 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., is part of a larger portfolio run by Empty Stomach, a group tied to several San Antonio restaurants and nightlife spots. Local coverage has noted Empty Stomach’s deep footprint on the St. Mary’s Strip and beyond — context that figures into Gonzales’ decision to sue the company as well as the individual he says attacked him. Reporting on the company’s holdings and local profile is available from outlets such as San Antonio Report…