A lawsuit filed in Nevada accuses the family of a lawyer involved in a fatal shooting during a child custody deposition of knowing about the plot and failing to intervene. The incident on April 8, 2024, left attorney Dennis Prince and his wife Ashley Prince dead, with the shooter later taking his own life. The suit seeks damages for the couple's son, alleging negligence and conspiracy.
On April 8, 2024, a tragic shooting unfolded in a conference room at the Prince Law Group building on West Charleston Boulevard in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dennis Prince, 57, and his wife Ashley Prince, 30, were killed by Joseph Houston, 77, an attorney representing the opposing side in a child custody dispute. Houston then fatally shot himself about 20 minutes later.
The dispute centered on custody involving Dylan Houston, Joseph's son and Ashley's ex-husband. The deposition was for Katherine Houston, Joseph's wife and Dylan's mother. Prior to the incident, Dylan sent ominous messages, including an email to Dennis Prince stating: "You have no idea what's coming do you, all your cards are on the table and I haven't played one." Texts to Ashley included: "I don't want to see you unless you're in a casket," "I will chisel you down to a weaker and worthless sack of bones," and "I'll crush you in ways you don't even comprehend."
Ashley had requested security for the deposition but canceled it upon learning Dylan would not attend. The lawsuit, filed on March 9, 2026, by Nancy Bernstein—Dennis's ex-wife and mother of their son Jack "Parker" Prince—names Houston family members and the now-defunct Joseph Houston Law Office as defendants. It alleges the family had foreknowledge of the plan, citing Dylan's messages as evidence of participation.
During the shooting, Katherine Houston left the room without intervening or checking on the victims, and later transferred three properties into her name through a trust, according to the complaint. The suit claims negligence for allowing an unsafe situation and lists seven causes of action: wrongful death, civil conspiracy, battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and false imprisonment. It states that Parker has been deprived of his father's love, companionship, and support. Each claim seeks damages exceeding $15,000, plus punitive damages, attorneys' fees, and costs. The defendants have not yet responded.