In a heartbreaking turn of events, the family of a young Auburn University graduate is taking legal action following her tragic death just weeks after she secured her dream job in interior design. Whitney Robeson, only 22, was reportedly shot by her boyfriend’s father, Jeffrey Towers, who now faces manslaughter charges and a civil lawsuit.
Whitney, originally from Richmond, Virginia, was fatally injured on March 7 when a gunshot struck her upper chest. Despite being rushed to a hospital, she was pronounced dead shortly after. Initially classified as an accident, the circumstances surrounding her death have since prompted a deeper investigation.
Towers, 54, was arrested last week in Trussville, Alabama, approximately 15 miles from Birmingham, and charged with manslaughter. His attorney, Johnny Amari, has described the incident as a “tragic” accident, emphasizing the principle of innocence until proven guilty. Towers has not yet entered a plea and was released on a $30,000 bond, the maximum for a Class B felony.
Whitney was dating Towers’ son, Brandon, and the couple had attended Auburn University together. Just prior to her untimely death, she had begun a position as a trade consultant at RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, fulfilling a lifelong dream inspired by HGTV shows.
The civil lawsuit filed by Whitney’s parents, Carin and Matthew Robeson, accuses Towers of negligent handling of a .22-caliber revolver, which allegedly discharged while he was showing it to Whitney and his son. According to the lawsuit, Towers reportedly did not verify whether the firearm was loaded, leading to the tragic incident.
The legal documents claim that Towers acted with “reckless indifference” and lacked the necessary knowledge of firearm safety. Additionally, the Robesons are holding the gunmaker accountable, asserting that the revolver was defectively designed and lacked adequate safety features to prevent accidental discharge.
Andrew Moak, the family’s attorney, expressed the profound loss felt by Whitney’s loved ones, stating, “At its core, this matter involves the tragic and unnecessary death of a 22-year-old young woman whose life was cut short far too soon.” The lawsuit does not specify the amount of damages sought, but the family is determined to seek justice.
Whitney’s journey was one of promise and passion, having graduated summa cum laude from Auburn’s interior design program. Her aspirations were finally within reach, making her untimely death even more devastating.
As this case unfolds, many are left wondering how such a tragic incident could occur and what implications it may have for gun safety and accountability.
