Inset left: Adiah Roberson (San Antonio Police Department). Inset right: Daniel Shrewsbury (Obituary). Background: The Sonic Drive-In where Roberson killed Shrewsbury in San Antonio, Tex. (Google Maps).
A young woman from Texas faces a lengthy prison sentence after a tragic altercation at a fast-food restaurant led to the death of a beloved manager. The incident, which stemmed from an argument over counterfeit money, has culminated in a significant legal outcome.
Adiah Roberson, just 19 years old, recently accepted a plea deal by entering a no-contest plea to charges of murder, assault causing bodily injury, and forgery. Her sentencing this past Friday reflects the severity of the crime, with a 40-year prison term for murder and an additional 20 years for assault. Fortunately for Roberson, these sentences will be served concurrently, effectively capping her time in prison at 40 years. No separate sentence was imposed for the forgery charge.
The fateful events unfolded on July 7, 2024, at a Sonic Drive-In located on Babcock Road in San Antonio. According to reports from the San Antonio Police Department, the trouble began when Roberson, accompanied by friends, attempted to use counterfeit money to pay for their meal.
Daniel Shrewsbury, the 33-year-old manager, confronted the group and refused to accept the fraudulent currency. The situation escalated into a heated argument in the kitchen of the restaurant. Despite the tension, the group eventually paid with legitimate money. However, as they were leaving, Roberson took money from a tip jar, prompting Shrewsbury to follow them outside to document their vehicle’s license plate.
At this point, tensions flared further. Joshua Joseph, the group’s driver, warned Shrewsbury that he was about to be shot. In a tragic turn, Roberson exited the car, brandished a firearm, and shot the manager, leading to the devastating loss of life.
After being confronted, Roberson and Shrewsbury fiercely argued in the restaurant”s kitchen but, eventually, the group used real money to buy their food. On the way out, however, Roberson took money from a tip jar. Shrewsbury then followed the trio out as they were leaving to take a photo of their license plate. Joshua Joseph, 29, who was driving, got upset and told Shrewsbury he was about to get shot. That’s when Roberson got out of the car, took out her gun and shot the manager.
Shrewsbury then staggered back inside the Sonic where he collapsed. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crime.
The victim’s mother wrote on her son’s obituary tribute page that he loved his job as a Sonic manager and all of his employees.
“Daniel was a jokester who made everyone he worked with happy, and they all loved him so much,” she wrote.
On July 16, 2024, police issued an arrest warrant on murder and forgery of a government document charges for Joseph and Roberson.
The U.S. Marshals Service arrested Joseph a month later.
While on the lam, the Texas Department of Public Safety placed Roberson on its “Most Wanted” list. The defendant was arrested in October 2024 at an apartment complex in Dallas – some 275 miles northeast of San Antonio. She was only 17 years old at the time.
“I apologize for the actions of somebody who happened to be with me, and none of that should have happened,” Joseph told reporters after his arrest. “That person made a decision they shouldn’t have made.”
Authorities later dropped the charges against Joseph.
The result did not come without consternation.
During the sentencing hearing, Bexar County 226th Criminal District Court Judge Benjamin Robertson told the state and the defense that 40 years did not seem sufficient for Roberson’s crimes, according to a courtroom report by San Antonio-based ABC affiliate KSAT.
In the end, the judge “reluctantly” agreed to accept the plea deal.
