Deposition Shooting Unfolds as Lawyer with Terminal Cancer Kills Former Daughter-in-Law and Husband

Apr 15, 11:00 PM

Joseph Houston, a 77-year-old lawyer battling terminal cancer, allegedly gunned down his former daughter-in-law, Ashley Prince, and her attorney husband, Dennis Prince, during a child custody deposition. The tragic incident unfolded on Monday morning at the offices of the Prince Law Group in Las Vegas, with Houston reportedly taking his own life afterward. Reports suggest that Houston's wife was present during the shooting, witnessing the horrific event.
According to accounts, Houston had confided in a colleague about his terminal illness, hinting at his deteriorating health and potentially providing a motive for the horrific act.
“Joe told me this not long before the shooting, that he was dying of terminal cancer. Makes me wonder if he felt like he had nothing to lose. I really don’t know though, I can’t make any sense of this all,” said Robert Eglet, a former law partner of Dennis.
The deposition pertained to the custody battle between Houston's son and Ashley Prince, who were locked in a legal dispute over their two children. Houston was representing his son.
Divorce filings revealed a tumultuous history between Ashley and her ex-husband, Dylan Houston, including allegations of substance abuse on Dylan's part during his custodial time with the children. Amidst the legal proceedings, Ashley Prince's lawyers had filed for sole custody of the kids, which may have escalated tensions.
During the deposition, Houston's actions left witnesses traumatized. Shannon Wilson, a pregnant lawyer present at the scene, sought refuge under a conference room table as the gunfire erupted. She pleaded with Houston to spare her and her unborn child before fleeing to safety.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Ashley Prince's legal team swiftly filed an emergency motion for her sister to assume custody of the children, which was granted. Allegations surfaced suggesting Dylan Houston might have had prior knowledge of his father's intentions, although he vehemently denied any involvement in the planning of the attack.
“The motivation of the tragedy of April 8, 2024, is unknown to anyone but Joseph W. Houston himself. The Defense’s suggestion that this was a ‘planned attack’ with the Plaintiff is insulting and quite speculative,” Dylan Houston, who is also a lawyer, wrote in a response.
Dennis Prince left behind four children, including an infant he shared with Ashley. 
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