SAN ANTONIO, TX – The Sonic Drive-In on Babcock Road was once a familiar workplace for Daniel Shrewsbury, a manager who, colleagues say, brought laughter and camaraderie to every shift. But a sudden act of violence outside the restaurant last summer cut short the life of the 33-year-old, leaving behind a grieving community and a family still reeling from his loss.
On July 7, 2024, Shrewsbury was confronted with a situation many restaurant workers dread—a group of customers attempting to pay with counterfeit cash. As manager, Shrewsbury took charge, denying the fraudulent payment and insisting on proper protocol, according to local authorities. An argument ensued in the restaurant’s kitchen, but it was eventually resolved when the group turned over legitimate currency for their meal.
However, tensions flared again moments later when Adiah Roberson, then just 17, allegedly swiped money from a tip jar on her way out. Undeterred, Shrewsbury followed the group outside, intent on getting a photo of their vehicle’s license plate to document the incident. In that split second, what should have been a routine workday turned deadly.
According to police, a verbal altercation escalated between Shrewsbury and the group as they prepared to depart. A passenger warned the manager he was putting himself in danger, but it was Roberson who drew a firearm and fired, striking Shrewsbury. He managed to stagger back inside the restaurant before collapsing, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
For those who knew him, Shrewsbury’s death left a void difficult to fill. His mother described her son as someone who cherished both his job and his coworkers, sharing lightheartedness and warmth with everyone he met. Friends and employees frequently recall his jokes and the positive energy he brought to the restaurant, describing him as the heart of the workplace.
The days following the shooting were a blur of anguish and investigation as police worked to identify and apprehend the suspects. Arrest warrants were soon issued for both Roberson and Joshua Joseph, the driver of the vehicle. Joseph was taken into custody a month later by federal marshals, while Roberson was tracked down in Dallas, more than 250 miles away, after months on the run.
At the time of her arrest, Roberson was only 17, but now, at 19, she stood before a court to answer for her actions. In a plea deal reached earlier this month, Roberson pleaded no contest to charges of murder, assault causing bodily injury, and forgery. On Friday, she was sentenced to 40 years in prison for murder and received a concurrent 20-year term for assault. No sentence was issued on the forgery charge.
During sentencing, the presiding judge expressed concern over whether the punishment fit the gravity of the crime, yet accepted the terms of the plea bargain. Joseph, meanwhile, saw his charges dropped.
Shrewsbury’s loved ones continue to mourn a life cut short by senseless violence. For his family, especially his mother, the memories of a devoted son and respected colleague endure, even as the legal proceedings draw to a close.
The case serves as a sobering reminder of the hidden risks faced in everyday workplaces, and the far-reaching impact a single moment of violence can have on a community.