Teen Sentenced to 40 Years for Killing Sonic Manager Over Counterfeit Money

A Fatal Confrontation Over Fake Bills

A routine transaction at a San Antonio Sonic Drive-In turned deadly when a teenager's attempt to use counterfeit money led to the murder of a beloved restaurant manager. Adiah Roberson, now 19, was sentenced Friday to 40 years in prison for killing Daniel Shrewsbury, 33, during a confrontation on July 7, 2024 .

The incident began when Shrewsbury confronted Roberson after she allegedly attempted to pay for food with counterfeit money, leading to a fierce argument in the restaurant's kitchen before the group eventually used real money to buy their food . However, on their way out, Roberson took money from a tip jar, prompting Shrewsbury to follow the trio outside to photograph their vehicle's license plate .

Joshua Joseph, who was driving, became 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 . When police arrived, Shrewsbury was found shot in the chest and unresponsive. He died at the scene .

A Months-Long Manhunt

Joseph and Roberson fled the scene and were on the run for a brief time. Roberson was eventually arrested at an apartment complex in Dallas on Oct. 22, 2024 . In September 2024, Roberson was added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List when she was 17 years old .

Joseph was arrested and charged with murder on Aug. 16, 2024, though his murder charge has since been dropped . "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" .

A Family's Heartbreak

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 .

During Friday's sentencing hearing, Shrewsbury's mother, Peggy Cofield, told the court she opposed the plea agreement. "The only thing I have of my son is his picture on the wall and his ashes on myself — I'll never get him back," Cofield said . Judge Benjamin Robertson told both sides that the maximum of 40 years previously agreed to in a plea deal did not seem like a suitable prison sentence for the murder, but later "reluctantly" gave in and sentenced Roberson to 40 years .

Justice and Its Limitations

Video shown to the judge prior to sentencing showed Roberson inside the restaurant's kitchen arguing with employees, demanding her food. Alyssa Garza, a former employee of Sonic, recorded the argument from inside the kitchen and also recalled hearing the gunshots that killed Shrewsbury .

Several family members of Roberson took the witness stand on behalf of the defense. They described her as a smart and talented woman who made a mistake and asked the judge for mercy . While the sentence brings legal closure to this tragic case, it serves as a stark reminder of how quickly everyday disputes can escalate into irreversible violence, leaving families forever changed and communities grappling with senseless loss.