Texas Teen Sentenced to 40 Years for Sonic Drive-In Manager’s Murder
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – A 19-year-old woman has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder of Daniel Shrewsbury, a 33-year-old manager at a Sonic Drive-In in San Antonio, Texas. The shooting, stemming from a dispute over counterfeit money, has sparked debate about escalating violence over seemingly minor offenses and the challenges facing fast-food workers.
The incident unfolded on July 7, 2024, at the Sonic located on Babcock Road. Adiah Roberson, accompanied by friends, attempted to pay for their meal with fake currency. Shrewsbury, known by colleagues and family as a jovial and dedicated employee, refused to accept the fraudulent bills. While the group eventually paid with legitimate money, the confrontation didn’t end there.
According to police reports, Roberson stole money from the restaurant’s tip jar as they were leaving. Shrewsbury followed the group to record their vehicle’s license plate. Joshua Joseph, 29, the driver, reportedly warned Shrewsbury he was “about to get shot” before Roberson exited the vehicle and fatally shot the manager. Shrewsbury died at the scene.
“Daniel was a jokester who made everyone he worked with happy, and they all loved him so much,” his mother wrote in an online obituary tribute. The loss has deeply impacted the Sonic team and the wider San Antonio community.
Roberson initially faced charges of murder, assault causing bodily injury, and forgery. She entered a no-contest plea, resulting in a 40-year sentence for murder and a concurrent 20-year sentence for assault. The forgery charge was not separately sentenced. While the concurrent sentencing effectively limits her prison time to 40 years, the judge expressed reservations about the leniency of the deal.
“40 years did not seem sufficient for Roberson’s crimes,” Bexar County 226th Criminal District Court Judge Benjamin Robertson stated during the sentencing hearing, according to local ABC affiliate KSAT. He ultimately accepted the plea deal “reluctantly.”
The case initially involved charges against Joseph as well, but those were later dropped. Following his arrest in August 2024, Joseph offered a public apology, stating, “I apologize for the actions of somebody who happened to be with me, and none of that should have happened. That person made a decision they shouldn’t have made.”
Roberson was placed on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s “Most Wanted” list and apprehended in Dallas in October 2024, approximately 275 miles northeast of San Antonio. She was 17 years old at the time of the shooting.
This case highlights a concerning trend of violence escalating from minor disputes, a phenomenon increasingly documented across the United States. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workplace violence incidents in the service sector, including fast-food restaurants, have risen by 18% in the last five years. The National Retail Federation also reports a significant increase in retail-related violence, often stemming from disputes over theft or policy enforcement.
The incident also underscores the vulnerability of frontline workers, who often face difficult and potentially dangerous situations as part of their jobs. Advocacy groups are calling for increased safety measures and de-escalation training for employees in the service industry.
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2024/08/16/sapd-make-arrest-in-fatal-shooting-of-sonic-manager/
https://www.merodriguez.com/obituaries/Daniel-Lacy-Shrewsbury?obId=32440411
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2026/01/31/woman-sentenced-to-40-years-in-connection-with-2024-murder-of-manager-at-northwest-side-sonic-restaurant/