Texas Teen Gets 40 Years After Sonic Manager Is Shot Dead Over Fake Money Dispute
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — A teenage girl who shot and killed a beloved Sonic Drive-In manager after being confronted over counterfeit money will spend decades behind bars, following a plea deal that even the judge admitted felt insufficient given the severity of the crime.
Adiah Roberson, now 19, was sentenced this month to 40 years in prison for murder and 20 years for assault causing bodily injury, with the sentences running concurrently. She also pleaded no contest to a forgery charge, though no separate sentence was issued for that count.
Fake Cash Sparks Deadly Confrontation
The shooting occurred on July 7, 2024, at a Sonic Drive-In on Babcock Road in San Antonio, according to investigators.
Police said Roberson arrived at the restaurant with a group of friends who attempted to pay using counterfeit money. The forged bills were immediately flagged by Daniel Shrewsbury, 33, the restaurant’s manager, who refused to complete the transaction.
An argument followed inside the restaurant’s kitchen. Eventually, the group used legitimate cash and completed their purchase. But as they were leaving, Roberson allegedly took money from the tip jar, escalating the situation further.
Manager Shot While Trying to Document License Plate
Authorities said Shrewsbury followed the group outside to photograph their vehicle’s license plate, attempting to document the incident. At that point, the driver — identified as Joshua Joseph, 29 — reportedly told Shrewsbury that he was “about to get shot.”
Moments later, Roberson exited the vehicle, pulled out a handgun, and shot Shrewsbury.
The manager staggered back into the Sonic before collapsing. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“They All Loved Him”
In tributes shared after his death, Shrewsbury’s family described him as a dedicated manager who loved his job and the people he worked with.
“Daniel was a jokester who made everyone he worked with happy, and they all loved him so much,” his mother wrote.
Coworkers and community members echoed those sentiments, calling the killing senseless and devastating.
Teen Placed on Texas ‘Most Wanted’ List
Roberson fled after the shooting and was later placed on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Most Wanted list. She was arrested in October 2024 at an apartment complex in Dallas, roughly 275 miles from San Antonio. She was 17 years old at the time of the killing.
Charges against Joseph were eventually dropped, though his arrest initially drew criticism from the victim’s family and community members.
Judge Says Sentence Felt Too Light
During sentencing, Bexar County Judge Benjamin Robertson openly questioned whether the plea deal delivered justice.
According to courtroom reports, the judge stated that 40 years did not seem sufficient for taking a life over such a trivial dispute. However, he ultimately accepted the agreement, saying he did so “reluctantly.”
A Life Lost Over Counterfeit Cash
Prosecutors emphasized that the killing stemmed from a petty crime that spiraled into deadly violence, underscoring the dangers of confrontations involving firearms — especially when young offenders are involved.
Roberson will be eligible for parole only after serving a substantial portion of her sentence, meaning she could remain incarcerated well into middle age.
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