Las Vegas, Nevada – A tragic incident occurred during a deposition in Summerlin, resulting in the deaths of a Las Vegas attorney, Dennis Prince, 57, and his wife, Ashley Prince, 30. The couple, who were parents to an infant, were fatally shot by another attorney, Joseph Houston II, 77, who represented his son in a child custody dispute with Ashley’s ex-husband. The coroner’s office confirmed that both deaths were ruled as homicides.
The heartbreaking event unfolded at the offices of Prince Law Group, where Dennis Prince was representing his wife in the ongoing custody battle. Moments into the deposition, Joseph Houston abruptly stood up and opened fire, ultimately taking his own life. Autopsies revealed that the cause of death for Joseph Houston was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
According to court documents filed after the shooting, the deposition took a horrific turn when Joseph Houston pulled out a handgun and shot Dennis Prince four times. Lisa Rasmussen, another attorney present during the incident, was representing Joseph Houston’s wife, Katherine, who was scheduled to be questioned during the deposition.
Dylan Houston, a Las Vegas attorney and Ashley Prince’s former husband, had filed for divorce in October 2021 after a four-year marriage. Despite a joint custody arrangement for their two children, aged 5 and 4, the dispute over custody continued. The emotional toll of the tragic event has prompted the establishment of a Resiliency and Justice Center for those affected.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7 through the Lifeline network. Additionally, counseling services are offered at the Resiliency and Justice Center on W. Charleston Blvd. for those impacted by the devastating loss. The community mourns the loss of Dennis and Ashley Prince, reflecting on the tragedy that unfolded during a routine legal proceeding.