SAN ANTONIO – A visually impaired man, Michael Roque, recently shared a shocking experience of being removed from a San Antonio club, Burnhouse Bar, in a way that left him injured and confused. Roque, who has retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive eye disease that affects his vision, claimed he was pushed down the stairs by security personnel and beaten up while being escorted out of the establishment last fall.
On September 13, 2025, Roque, now 28, faced serious charges: assault on a security guard and a misdemeanor assault charge. According to the bar’s management, Roque had attempted to hit a security guard, resulting in a physical altercation that led to him falling down the stairs.
Roque expressed his fear during the incident, saying, “I was scared for my life. I didn’t know what I had done wrong.” Despite his visual impairment, which limits his ability to see shapes in bright light and leaves him blind at night, Roque had ventured out with a friend who offered to guide him.
The Incident
While navigating the dance floor, Roque accidentally bumped into someone. Security approached him and his friend, demanding they leave. As they were trying to explain Roque’s visual impairment, he claims a security guard pushed him, causing him to fall down the stairs.
After the fall, Roque alleges he was handcuffed and assaulted in the parking lot. “They grabbed me by either arm. They picked me up, and they slammed me on the floor,” Roque recounted.
Body camera footage from San Antonio police showed Roque receiving medical attention for facial injuries. He sustained a concussion and three cracked teeth from the altercation, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
Security’s Perspective
Security personnel, including the head bouncer Pejman Amrollah, described Roque as aggressive, stating he punched a security guard. However, Amrollah later claimed he had nothing to do with Roque being pushed down the stairs.
David Amrollah, the bar operator, defended the security team’s actions, alleging that Roque had used racial slurs and had initiated the altercation by attempting to punch a guard. He insisted that Roque was looking for trouble that night.
Community Response and Implications
This incident raises significant questions about the safety and treatment of individuals with disabilities in public spaces. Roque’s attorney, Joe Hoelscher, emphasized that Roque’s situation is not unique, suggesting that aggressive security practices may endanger vulnerable patrons.
Moreover, the bar has faced scrutiny in the past, with numerous negative reviews highlighting issues with security and allegations of excessive force. Complaints from other patrons indicate a pattern of abusive behavior by security staff, prompting a reconsideration of safety practices in the nightlife industry.
Roque remains free on bond while awaiting further legal proceedings, and his attorney aims to have the charges dismissed, arguing that security escalated the situation unnecessarily.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and accommodating individuals with disabilities in all environments, especially in places designed for social interaction and entertainment.
