An argument at a Sonic Drive-In led to a fatal shooting in San Antonio, Texas on the evening of Sunday, July 7, 2024. The incident, which took place around 9:40 p.m., resulted in the death of the 33-year-old manager, Daniel Shrewsbury.
The dispute started when Shrewsbury confronted two female customers who were purportedly trying to pay with counterfeit money. Shrewsbury, who was about to turn 34, was shot during the confrontation, retreated into the restaurant, and was later declared dead at the scene, his family said.
“My brother went out there and confronted them about the fake money, and he got shot,” Jojo Shrewsbury, Daniel’s younger brother, revealed in an interview. “He was an amazing brother, not only to me but to everyone.”
The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) has circulated images of the two women involved in the altercation. One suspect was in a black T-shirt and gold chain, and the other in a floral white sundress. No arrests have been made thus far, and the identities of the suspects have not been revealed.
A witness who was waiting in the drive-through line at the time of the shooting narrated the chilling incident. “I was on my phone sitting in line and heard what sounded like the first gunshot,” the witness shared with KENS5. “Then I heard two additional gunshots and realized something was happening. An employee ran to my car and told me an employee had been shot. She had a complete look of shock on her face.”
The shocking death of Shrewsbury has left his family and community in deep sorrow. His sister, Jazmin Robinson, expressed her anguish in a heartfelt social media post, lamenting the loss of her brother in such a brutal way. She expressed her love for her brother and her dismay at the world’s sorrowful state.
Describing her son as a “caring” man cherished by “many people,” Peggy Cofield, Shrewsbury’s mother, spoke about his loss. Shrewsbury, the eldest of three siblings, was a loyal employee known for being more than just a Sonic worker to those who knew him.
James Moore, a restaurant owner in San Antonio and a member of the Texas Restaurant Association State Board, reflected on the incident, stressing the industry’s crucial need for safety protocols. “I guarantee there’s not one operator that did not feel struck by the news of this incident,” Moore said. “We all work so hard to protect our staff from horrible occurrences like this. The thought of any of my staff being put in a situation like that gives me nightmares.”
In memory of Shrewsbury, a memorial has been erected outside the Sonic restaurant, where flowers and candles have been laid. The community is united in mourning and in the pursuit of justice for the slain manager.