by San Antonio, Texas — A teenage girl who fatally shot a restaurant manager during a confrontation over suspected counterfeit money has been sentenced to 40 years in prison, closing a case that stunned the San Antonio community and reignited debate over youth violence and accountability.
Adiah Roberson, now 19, was sentenced Friday after pleading no contest to murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the 2024 killing of Daniel Shrewsbury, a manager at a local Sonic Drive-In. The sentencing followed months of legal proceedings and emotional testimony from the victim’s family and coworkers.
Deadly confrontation at Sonic Drive-In
The shooting occurred on July 7, 2024, at a Sonic location on Babcock Road in San Antonio. Prosecutors said the incident began when Roberson, who was 17 at the time, attempted to pay for food using what employees believed to be counterfeit currency.
Authorities said Shrewsbury, 33, followed Roberson outside the restaurant to photograph the vehicle’s license plate so a police report could be filed.
What began as a routine workplace dispute quickly escalated into deadly violence, prosecutors told the court
According to investigators, Roberson exited the vehicle and shot Shrewsbury, striking him fatally.
Manager remembered as devoted and kind
During the sentencing hearing, coworkers described Shrewsbury as a dedicated employee who had volunteered to cover a shift that night.
Restaurant manager Carlos Encino testified that Shrewsbury was known for his upbeat personality and generosity.
“He was the life of the party,” Encino told the court
Encino described the moments after hearing gunshots outside the restaurant.
“I flipped him over and I heard his last breath,” he said. “His face was blue, his lips were blue. I just don’t understand why people would play God and try to take someone’s life.”
Shrewsbury later died from his injuries, leaving behind family members who told the court their lives were permanently changed.
Mother opposes plea deal
Shrewsbury’s mother, Peggy Cofield, delivered an emotional statement during the hearing, saying she opposed the plea agreement that capped Roberson’s sentence.
“The only thing I have of my son is his picture on the wall and his ashes,” she said. “I’ll never get him back.”
Her remarks underscored the lasting grief faced by families of homicide victims, even as the legal process moves forward.
Judge imposes maximum sentence allowed
Roberson entered her plea on January 9, and Benjamin Robertson, a state district judge, imposed the maximum sentence allowed under the agreement.
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She received 40 years for murder and 20 years for aggravated assault, to be served concurrently.
The judge said he imposed the sentence “reluctantly,” citing earlier concerns that a 40-year cap might not fully reflect the severity of the crime
Roberson’s defense did not dispute the facts of the case during sentencing.
Arrest followed months-long manhunt
After the shooting, Roberson remained at large for several months. Authorities arrested her in October 2024 at an apartment complex in Dallas, following a manhunt that landed her on Texas’ Top 10 Most Wanted list.
A second suspect, Joshua Joseph, who authorities said was driving the vehicle at the time of the shooting, was arrested earlier in the investigation. His murder charge was later dropped, according to court records.
Defense asks for mercy
Several members of Roberson’s family spoke on her behalf, describing her as intelligent and talented while urging the judge to show leniency.
Family members characterized the shooting as a tragic mistake made by a teenager, asking the court to consider her age and potential for rehabilitation
Despite those pleas, the court ultimately sided with prosecutors in delivering the harshest sentence permitted under the plea deal.
Case highlights consequences of split-second violence
The sentencing brings a measure of closure to a case that has raised difficult questions about juvenile offenders, gun access, and the consequences of impulsive decisions.
For Shrewsbury’s family and coworkers, the loss remains deeply personal — a reminder that everyday workplace encounters can turn deadly in an instant.
As Roberson begins her prison term, the community continues to grapple with the impact of a life cut short and a future forever altered.
Do you believe plea agreements in cases involving teenage offenders strike the right balance between accountability and rehabilitation? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
