Auburn grad killed by boyfriend’s father when antique gun fired in Trussville, lawsuit claims
Whitney Harlow Robeson, 22, was shot March 7. Jeffrey Scott Towers, 54, is charged with manslaughter in her death.
Ethan Parker 
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed following the tragic death of 22-year-old Whitney Harlow Robeson, a recent Auburn University graduate who was fatally shot while visiting her boyfriend's family in Trussville earlier this spring.
The Incident
The shooting occurred on the night of March 7 at a residence in the 7700 block of Deer Trail. According to police reports from the evening, the incident took place at approximately 9:30 p.m. Court filings state that the victim's boyfriend's father, 54-year-old Jeffrey Scott Towers, was showcasing antique firearms in an upstairs area of the home when a .22 caliber revolver discharged, striking Robeson in the chest.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but Robeson was later pronounced dead at UAB-St. Vincent’s East at 10:49 p.m. While the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office initially classified the incident as possibly accidental, Towers currently faces a charge of manslaughter in connection with her death.
Lawsuit Allegations
Attorneys from Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass filed the lawsuit in Jefferson County court on behalf of Robeson’s parents. The legal complaint alleges that Towers failed to exercise the necessary duty of care while handling the firearm, asserting that he should have inspected the weapon to ensure it was not loaded before displaying it. The suit claims the discharge resulted in devastating internal injuries.
Attorneys representing Towers, John Amari and Dain Stewart, have previously maintained their client's innocence. In a statement provided to 205focus.com, they described the incident as a tragic event, noting that Towers has no criminal history and is an upstanding citizen. Towers is currently free on a $30,000 bond, with a preliminary hearing date yet to be determined.
Remembering Whitney Robeson
Robeson was a 2025 Summa Cum Laude graduate of Auburn University's College of Human Sciences, where she studied interior design. Just weeks before her passing, she had begun a professional career in Birmingham as a trade consultant with Restoration Hardware. Friends and family remember her as a young woman of profound faith, grace, and unwavering loyalty.
