Whitney Harlow Robeson, 22, of Henrico, Virginia, was fatally shot on March 7, 2026, inside a home on the 7700 block of Deer Trail in Trussville, Alabama. Her boyfriend’s father, 54‑year‑old Jeffrey Scott Towers, has been arrested and charged with manslaughter in connection with her death.
Police responded to the residence around 9:30 p.m. after receiving a call about a person suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers found Robeson critically injured and rushed her to UAB‑St. Vincent’s East Hospital in Birmingham. Despite emergency efforts, she was pronounced dead at 10:49 p.m.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office initially ruled the shooting accidental, but after an extensive investigation by the Trussville Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, detectives obtained a warrant for Towers’ arrest on May 11, 2026. He was taken into custody and later released on a $30,000 bond.
Robeson was a recent graduate of Auburn University, where she earned her degree in interior design in May 2025. She had just begun her career at RH (formerly Restoration Hardware), fulfilling a childhood dream of working in design. Friends and family remembered her for her kindness, integrity, and deep faith, describing her as a vibrant young woman with a promising future.
Her obituary highlighted her devotion to family, noting that she was mourned not only as a daughter, sister, and friend but also for the potential she had as a future mother and aunt. Loved ones emphasized that her life was cut short in the full bloom of youth, leaving an indelible impact on those who knew her.
Towers’ attorneys have maintained his innocence, calling the incident a tragic event. They stressed that Towers has no prior criminal history and described him as a productive citizen. The case remains under investigation, with prosecutors expected to review the evidence and determine the next steps in court proceedings.
