UMVA has learned that the parents of a young Auburn University graduate have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against her boyfriend's father and a gunmaker, alleging their negligence led to her tragic death.
Whitney Robeson, a 22-year-old with a bright future in interior design, died on March 7 after being shot in the upper chest while handling a .22-caliber revolver. The incident occurred just weeks after she landed her dream job at a high-end design company.
The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of the events leading up to Robeson's death. According to court filings, her boyfriend's father, Jeffrey Towers, was handling the revolver when he "inadvertently" discharged a round, striking Robeson in the upper left side of her chest.
The civil lawsuit alleges that Towers handled the weapon negligently, with "reckless indifference to the consequences and a conscious disregard for the safety of others." It also claims the gunmaker produced the revolver with design flaws that made it "unfit for its ordinary purpose."
Towers has been charged with manslaughter in connection with Robeson's death and has been released on $30,000 bond. His defense attorney has described the incident as a "tragic" and "terrible accident," and maintains that his client is innocent until proven guilty.
Robeson's parents, Carin and Matthew Robeson, are seeking justice and accountability for their daughter's death. Their attorney says the family is relying on the state's Extended Manufacturer’s Liability Doctrine to allege that the firearm was defectively designed and lacked adequate safety features.
The lawsuit does not specify monetary damages being sought, but Robeson's parents hope to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Their daughter had a promising future ahead of her, with a passion for interior design that was inspired by shows on HGTV.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the gunmaker is one of 14 unnamed co-defendants in the lawsuit, who can be identified later under Alabama law. The case is set to unfold in the coming months, with a court date scheduled for July 22.
