An Alabama man has been charged with reckless manslaughter for allegedly shooting his son’s girlfriend to death after showing her his antique gun collection.
Jeffrey Scott Towers, 54, was in his Trussville home when he allegedly showed his .22-caliber revolver to 22-year-old Whitney Robeson and pulled the trigger.
A bullet struck Robeson in the upper left side of her chest.
Despite emergency responders attempting life-saving intervention at the scene, she was transported to UAB-St. Vincent’s East and pronounced dead at 10.49pm
Towers was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on May 11.
He was released on a $30,000 bond, but later indicted on the manslaughter charge on August 28.
Robeson’s family filed a civil lawsuit, which states: ‘Towers was showing Robeson and his son, Brandon Towers, a collection of antique guns in the upstairs area or attic of the home.’
‘Whether known or unknown to Towers, the firearm being handled was loaded, and as he displayed the weapon to Whitney and his son, a single shot was inadvertently discharged,’ the suit said.
An Alabama man has been charged with reckless manslaughter for allegedly shooting his son’s girlfriend to death after showing her his antique gun collection.
In the lawsuit, it states that toxicology analysis proves neither Robeson nor Towers had any alcohol or drugs in their system when the incident occurred.
Towers is being represented by John Amari and Dain Stewart with the Amari Law Firm.
Towers’ attorney, John Amari, said he believes ‘our client is not guilty of the charge,’ according to a statement to Alabama’s 42.
‘The way we see it is that simple: he’s not guilty of this charge,’ said Amari.
But Robinson’s family’s lawyer, Andrew Moak, maintained: ‘The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office determined that Mr. Towers acted with criminal recklessness.’
‘Given that determination, efforts to portray Mr. Towers as “innocent” are not supported by the evidence in this case,’ said Moak.
‘We remain committed to allowing the evidence, facts, and legal process to speak for themselves.
‘Our focus remains where it should be: Seeking justice for Whitney Harlow Robeson and accountability for the actions that led to her death.’
The lawsuit states that toxicology analysis proves neither Robeson nor Towers had any alcohol or drugs in their system when the incident occurred.
The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office will be prosecuting this case.
Robeson graduated from Auburn University in May 2025 with summa cum laude honors.
She was part of the Delta Sigma sorority chapter in college.
‘She brought so much joy and light to our chapter and to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her,’ Delta Sigma posted on Instagram.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office for comment.
