A tragic shooting inside a Las Vegas law office has now led to a major lawsuit that claims the killer’s family may have known about the attack beforehand. The case is connected to a bitter child custody battle that turned deadly during what was supposed to be a routine legal deposition.
What Happened During the Deposition
On April 8, 2024, a shocking incident occurred inside the Prince Law Group office in Las Vegas.
During a deposition meeting:
- Dennis Prince (57) and his wife Ashley Prince (30) were present.
- The deposition involved Katherine Houston, the wife of attorney Joseph Houston.
- Joseph Houston, who was 77 years old, suddenly pulled out a gun.
He shot and killed Dennis Prince and Ashley Prince inside the conference room.
About 20 minutes later, Houston turned the gun on himself and died.
The violent event happened during an ongoing child custody dispute between Ashley Prince and her former partner Dylan Houston, who was Joseph Houston’s son.
New Lawsuit Filed in 2026
Nearly two years later, a lawsuit has been filed.
On March 9, 2026, Nancy Bernstein, the former wife of Dennis Prince and the mother of his child, filed a negligence lawsuit in Clark County, Nevada.
She filed the case on behalf of Jack “Parker” Prince, Dennis Prince’s son.
The lawsuit names several defendants, including:
- Members of the Houston family
- The now-closed Joseph Houston Law Office
The complaint accuses them of negligence and civil conspiracy, claiming they knew about the plan to kill Ashley and Dennis but failed to stop it.
Messages That Raised Red Flags
According to the lawsuit, disturbing messages were sent before the shooting.
Four days before the attack, Dylan Houston allegedly sent an email to Dennis Prince saying:
“You have no idea what’s coming do you, all your cards are on the table and I haven’t played one.”
The complaint claims this message shows prior knowledge of the attack.
Ashley Prince also reportedly received threatening texts from Dylan Houston, including:
- “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.”
- “I’ll crush you in ways you don’t even comprehend.”
The lawsuit argues that these threats should have alerted the family and others that something dangerous might happen.
Security Concerns Before the Meeting
The filing also says Ashley Prince had earlier asked about security for the deposition.
However, she later cancelled the security request after learning that Dylan Houston would not attend the deposition.
Despite this, Joseph Houston, Dylan’s father and lawyer, was present.
Questions About Katherine Houston’s Actions
The lawsuit also points to the behaviour of Katherine Houston during and after the shooting.
According to the complaint:
- She left the room immediately after the gunshots.
- She did not try to stop her husband.
- She did not check on the victims.
- She never returned to the room, even after her husband shot himself.
The lawsuit claims these actions could suggest knowledge of the plan.
Property Transfers After the Shooting
Another point raised in the lawsuit involves financial actions taken after the tragedy.
The complaint claims that Katherine Houston transferred three properties into her own name through a trust she controls after the shooting.
The plaintiffs argue this move may be connected to the alleged conspiracy.
Claims Made in the Lawsuit
Although the case is broadly filed as negligence, the complaint includes seven legal claims, such as:
- Wrongful death
- Civil conspiracy
- Assault
- Battery
- False imprisonment
- Intentional infliction of emotional distress
- Negligence
The lawsuit states that Parker Prince lost his father and the emotional and financial support that came with him.
The filing says the child has been deprived of:
- Love and companionship
- Guidance and education
- Emotional support
- Financial stability
Damages Being Sought
The plaintiffs are seeking:
- More than $15,000 in damages for each claim
- Punitive damages
- Attorney’s fees
- Court costs
Punitive damages are meant to punish wrongdoing and discourage similar behaviour in the future.
Current Status of the Case
As of now, the defendants have not yet responded to the lawsuit.
The case will move forward in Clark County court, where judges will decide whether the Houston family had any responsibility in the deadly shooting.
