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.
Mason Reed 
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by the family of 22-year-old Whitney Harlow Robeson, an Auburn University graduate who was fatally shot on March 7 while visiting her boyfriend's family in Trussville. Jeffrey Scott Towers, 54, currently faces a manslaughter charge in connection with the tragic incident.
The Circumstances of the Incident
The shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. inside the defendant's residence located in the 7700 block of Deer Trail. According to the lawsuit, filed in Jefferson County by attorneys from Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass, Towers was displaying a collection of antique firearms to Robeson and his son, Brandon Towers, in the home's attic or upstairs area.
Court documents allege that Towers was handling a .22 caliber revolver when it inadvertently discharged, striking Robeson in the upper chest. Although emergency personnel attempted life-saving measures, Robeson was pronounced dead at UAB-St. Vincent’s East at 10:49 p.m. An autopsy confirmed the bullet caused severe internal injuries to her heart, lungs, and aorta. While investigators previously noted the incident was reported as accidental, the lawsuit claims negligence, asserting that Towers failed to verify the weapon was unloaded.
Legal Proceedings and Background
Towers, who is currently out of jail on a $30,000 bond, is represented by attorneys John Amari and Dain Stewart. In a statement previously provided to 205focus.com, counsel maintained that Towers is an upstanding citizen with no criminal history and intends to contest the charges, stating, "We know that the facts will show that Mr. Towers... is not guilty of these charges." A date for a preliminary hearing has not yet been set.
Robeson, a Virginia native, was remembered as a woman defined by her faith and deep devotion to family. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Auburn University's College of Human Sciences in May 2025 and had recently begun a professional career in Birmingham as a trade consultant for Restoration Hardware. Her obituary described her as a person who "lived with inimitable grace" and "boundless generosity."
