Family Claims Las Vegas Lawyer and His Wife Were Killed During Custody Battle for Children from Previous Marriage

A tragic incident unfolded in Las Vegas last week as a custody battle turned deadly during a deposition hearing. Lawyer Dennis Prince and his wife, Ashley, were shot multiple times by Ashley’s former father-in-law, Joseph Houston, who then took his own life. The shooting occurred at Dennis Prince’s law firm, Prince Law Group, in the affluent Summerlin neighborhood.

The victims had been in a contentious battle for custody of Ashley’s children from her previous marriage for two years. Houston, a lawyer since 1974, had been representing his son in the custody battle. The incident took place just minutes into the deposition hearing, with seven people present in the room. Fortunately, four individuals were able to escape and call the police.

Ashley’s parents expressed their determination to continue fighting for custody of their grandchildren, ages 4 and 5, emphasizing their daughter’s unwavering dedication to her children. Dennis Prince, a respected trial lawyer in Las Vegas for 30 years, had built a reputation for handling personal injury, product liability, negligence, and insurance cases.

The Prince Law Group released a statement expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support following the tragic event. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has yet to comment on the family’s statement. The community is left mourning the loss of two lives in a senseless act of violence that has shaken the legal community in Las Vegas.