Topline: Whitney Harlow Robeson was killed after a .22 caliber revolver discharged while her boyfriend’s father was showing off antique firearms inside a Trussville home, according to a newly filed lawsuit.
Published: May 19, 2026 4:00 pm ET
Randy Shaw
I cut my teeth in journalism when I began looking into what I saw as abuses of power in my local government. From then on, I was hooked on the dopamine rush of uncovering information.
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TRUSSVILLE, AL — A wrongful death lawsuit says 22-year-old Whitney Harlow Robeson was fatally shot on March 7 when Jeffrey Scott Towers was handling an antique .22 caliber revolver in the upstairs area or attic of his home in the 7700 block of Deer Trail.
The suit says Towers was showing Robeson and his son, Brandon Towers, a collection of antique guns when a single shot was inadvertently discharged from the revolver. The bullet struck Robeson in the upper left side of her chest.
According to AL.com, Robeson’s family filed the wrongful death case Friday in Jefferson County court through attorneys with Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass, alleging Towers was negligent and failed to make sure the firearm was unloaded before displaying it.
Emergency responders performed life-saving measures at the scene after the shooting, which happened about 9:30 p.m. Robeson was taken to UAB-St. Vincent’s East, where she was pronounced dead at 10:49 p.m.
An autopsy cited in the lawsuit says Robeson died from a gunshot wound to the chest that caused devastating injuries to her left lung, heart and aorta.
Towers, 54, has already been charged with manslaughter in Robeson’s death. Court records cited by the report say a preliminary hearing has not yet been set. He is out of jail on a $30,000 bond.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. AL.com reported that Towers is represented by attorneys John Amari and Dain Stewart, while family attorney Andrew Moak said the case centers on the tragic and unnecessary death of a 22-year-old woman and on accountability for the actions that led to her death.
Robeson, a Virginia native, had recently started her career in Birmingham as a trade consultant with Restoration Hardware. She was also a May 2025 summa cum laude graduate of Auburn University in the College of Human Sciences Interior Design program.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Whitney Harlow Robeson was killed after a .22 caliber revolver discharged while her boyfriend’s father was showing off antique firearms inside a Trussville home, according to a newly filed lawsuit.
By Randy Shaw
Published: May 19, 2026 4:00 pm ET
TRUSSVILLE, AL — A wrongful death lawsuit says 22-year-old Whitney Harlow Robeson was fatally shot on March 7 when Jeffrey Scott Towers was handling an antique .22 caliber revolver in the upstairs area or attic of his home in the 7700 block of Deer Trail.
The suit says Towers was showing Robeson and his son, Brandon Towers, a collection of antique guns when a single shot was inadvertently discharged from the revolver. The bullet struck Robeson in the upper left side of her chest.
According to AL.com, Robeson’s family filed the wrongful death case Friday in Jefferson County court through attorneys with Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass, alleging Towers was negligent and failed to make sure the firearm was unloaded before displaying it.
Emergency responders performed life-saving measures at the scene after the shooting, which happened about 9:30 p.m. Robeson was taken to UAB-St. Vincent’s East, where she was pronounced dead at 10:49 p.m.
An autopsy cited in the lawsuit says Robeson died from a gunshot wound to the chest that caused devastating injuries to her left lung, heart and aorta.
Towers, 54, has already been charged with manslaughter in Robeson’s death. Court records cited by the report say a preliminary hearing has not yet been set. He is out of jail on a $30,000 bond.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. AL.com reported that Towers is represented by attorneys John Amari and Dain Stewart, while family attorney Andrew Moak said the case centers on the tragic and unnecessary death of a 22-year-old woman and on accountability for the actions that led to her death.
Robeson, a Virginia native, had recently started her career in Birmingham as a trade consultant with Restoration Hardware. She was also a May 2025 summa cum laude graduate of Auburn University in the College of Human Sciences Interior Design program.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Wrongful Death Suit Alleges Auburn Graduate Was Fatally Shot While Boyfriend’s Father Showed Antique Guns
Whitney Harlow Robeson was killed after a .22 caliber revolver discharged while her boyfriend’s father was showing off antique firearms inside a Trussville home, according to a newly filed lawsuit.
By Randy Shaw
Published: May 19, 2026 4:00 pm ET
TRUSSVILLE, AL — A wrongful death lawsuit says 22-year-old Whitney Harlow Robeson was fatally shot on March 7 when Jeffrey Scott Towers was handling an antique .22 caliber revolver in the upstairs area or attic of his home in the 7700 block of Deer Trail.
The suit says Towers was showing Robeson and his son, Brandon Towers, a collection of antique guns when a single shot was inadvertently discharged from the revolver. The bullet struck Robeson in the upper left side of her chest.
According to AL.com, Robeson’s family filed the wrongful death case Friday in Jefferson County court through attorneys with Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass, alleging Towers was negligent and failed to make sure the firearm was unloaded before displaying it.
Emergency responders performed life-saving measures at the scene after the shooting, which happened about 9:30 p.m. Robeson was taken to UAB-St. Vincent’s East, where she was pronounced dead at 10:49 p.m.
An autopsy cited in the lawsuit says Robeson died from a gunshot wound to the chest that caused devastating injuries to her left lung, heart and aorta.
Towers, 54, has already been charged with manslaughter in Robeson’s death. Court records cited by the report say a preliminary hearing has not yet been set. He is out of jail on a $30,000 bond.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. AL.com reported that Towers is represented by attorneys John Amari and Dain Stewart, while family attorney Andrew Moak said the case centers on the tragic and unnecessary death of a 22-year-old woman and on accountability for the actions that led to her death.
Robeson, a Virginia native, had recently started her career in Birmingham as a trade consultant with Restoration Hardware. She was also a May 2025 summa cum laude graduate of Auburn University in the College of Human Sciences Interior Design program.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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