A Las Vegas attorney and his spouse were in a heated legal battle for guardianship of her children from a last marriage when the female's previous father-in-law, also a lawyer, tragically shot them during a deposition hearing the previous week, according to authorities and family members.
Couples Tragically Embroiled in Custody Dispute Over Children
The victims were identified as attorney Dennis Prince and his wife, Ashley, by the Las Vegas coroner's office. Both sustained multiple gunshot wounds before 77-year-old Joseph Houston shot and killed himself.
Gunshots rang out just minutes into the deposition hearing on the morning of April 8 at Dennis Prince's law firm, Prince Law Group, situated in the affluent Summerlin neighborhood.
Seven individuals were present in the room at the time of the shooting, according to police, with four managing to escape and alert law enforcement.
During a press conference on Monday, Ashley Prince's parents disclosed that their daughter had been previously married to Houston's son and had been striving for two years to secure sole custody of their children.
Houston, a lawyer in Nevada since 1974, had been representing his son in the custody dispute, as evidenced by court records. Julie Page affirmed their commitment to continuing their daughter's battle for custody of the children, aged 4 and 5.
Ashley Prince's Family Pledges to Persist in the Fight for Custody
"Our daughter Ashley was a devoted and fierce protector of her children," Page stated, holding back tears as she emphasized that her daughter "would have never given up the fight for her children."
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The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department did not instantly respond on Monday to a request for comment concerning the family's statement.
Bryce Page mentioned on Monday that his sister "was radiating joy" after meeting Dennis Prince. He recounted how his sister fulfilled a lifelong aspiration of establishing a "warm, loving environment" for her family after recently welcoming her first child with Dennis Prince.
Prince, a trial attorney in Las Vegas for three decades, led Prince Law Group, where the shooting unfolded. He established the firm after earning a reputation as a leading attorney in Nevada specializing in personal injury, product liability, negligence, and insurance cases. His professional profiles indicate that he tried over 90 cases to verdict and contributed to more than a dozen published state Supreme Court cases.
"In profound sorrow, Prince Law Group expresses gratitude to everyone who has extended heartfelt messages of concern and sympathy over the tragic violence that occurred this morning in our offices," the law group stated in a release last week.
Houston Family Released a Formal Statement
The Houston family issued a statement urging the public to refrain from making assumptions until the LVMP completes its investigation.
"Our family is deeply shocked and saddened by the events of yesterday. We request prayers and privacy as we cope with the days ahead," a family spokesperson stated, as reported by the Las Vegas-based TV station.
"The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating, and speculating about the incident's details only exacerbates the pain for our grieving and overwhelmed families. We trust in Metro's efforts and will defer all further comments to them as their investigation progresses."
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