A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by the family of a 22-year-old graduate from Auburn University who was tragically shot at her boyfriend’s family residence in Alabama. The suit targets his father, Jeffrey Towers, as well as a yet-to-be-identified gunmaker.
Whitney Robeson, who hailed from Richmond, Virginia, suffered fatal injuries from a gunshot wound to her upper chest on the night of March 7. She was declared dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Initially categorized as an accident, the coroner’s report labeled the incident as such due to limited information. Towers’ defense attorney, Johnny Amari, has depicted the event as a “tragic” accident.
On the manslaughter charge, police arrested Towers, age 54, last week in Trussville, about 15 miles from Birmingham, approximately two months post-shooting.
“Innocent until proven guilty is a legal standard,” Amari stated, emphasizing Towers’ defense. As of now, Towers has not entered a plea and was released on a $30,000 bond. His next court appearance is set for July 22.
“Our goal is not to diminish the life lost, which was indeed special,” Amari noted about Robeson, who was in a relationship with Towers’ son, Brandon. The pair had attended Auburn together, and she had recently commenced a job in interior design.
“Even mistakes warrant a defense; it does not negate the tragedy that has occurred,” Amari asserted. His firm is not representing Towers in the civil case.
Details surrounding Robeson’s final moments have surfaced through the civil lawsuit despite the prosecution’s evidence being undisclosed as of yet.
Whitney Robeson’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Jeffrey Towers, accusing him of reckless handling of a loaded antique revolver that killed her, as he now faces manslaughter charges. Law&Crime’s Chris Stewart @cstewartnews is On the Case. pic.twitter.com/1TICakULZm
— Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) May 19, 2026
The lawsuit states that during a visit to the attic of their home, Towers inadvertently discharged a .22-caliber revolver while showcasing antique firearms to Robeson and his son. This resulted in a fatal shot that struck Robeson’s heart and lung.
The filings allege negligence concerning the handling of the weapon and claim that the revolver was poorly designed, rendering it unsuitable for safe use.
Accusations against Towers include his handling of the firearm with “reckless indifference,” failing to ensure its safety, and a blatant disregard for basic firearm protocols.
While the gunmaker remains unnamed, the lawsuit identifies 14 potential co-defendants who could be revealed later in accordance with Alabama law.
Robeson’s parents are invoking the state’s Extended Manufacturer’s Liability Doctrine to argue that the firearm was defective, lacking essential safety features that could have prevented the tragic discharge.
“This matter exemplifies the needless death of a vibrant young woman taken far too soon,” stated their attorney, Andrew Moak, emphasizing Whitney’s role as a cherished family member and community member. The family is pursuing justice, although the lawsuit does not specify a monetary amount being sought.
In an online obituary, it was shared how Whitney had aspired to work in interior design since childhood, inspired by HGTV. After graduating summa cum laude from Auburn’s program, she secured a job as a trade consultant for RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware.
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