LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The mother of a minor child has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Clark County District Court, alleging a Las Vegas attorney’s law firm and family helped enable and may have conspired in a deadly 2024 shooting during a court deposition.
The complaint, filed March 9, 2026, on behalf of Jack “Parker” Prince, names the late attorney Joseph W. Houston II, his firm Houston Law, his widow Katherine Kelley Houston, their son Dylan E. Houston, the Estate of Joseph W. Houston II, and unnamed defendants.
READ MORE: Summerlin law office shooting survivor shares lasting impact, more than one year later
Parker’s father, well‑known trial lawyer Dennis Prince, and Dennis’s wife, Ashley Prince were shot and killed on April 8, 2024, during the resumed deposition of Katherine Houston in a bitter custody case.
Joseph Houston then fatally shot himself, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit says Joseph represented his son Dylan in a long‑running custody fight with Dylan’s ex‑wife, Ashley.
It cites a series of threatening messages Dylan allegedly sent Ashley, including “I don’t want to see you unless you’re in a casket” and a late‑night email to Dennis four days before the shooting: “you have no idea what’s coming, do you, all your cards are on the table, and I haven’t played one.”
Bernstein’s attorneys argue that the email shows Dylan knew an attack was coming and failed to warn Dennis or authorities.
During Katherine’s April 8 deposition, Joseph allegedly produced a gun and opened fire, killing Dennis and Ashley.
The complaint says Katherine left the room, did nothing to stop her husband, did not check on the victims, and did not return even after Joseph shot himself.
Plaintiffs argue Joseph was acting within the scope of his work as a lawyer for Houston Law, making the firm responsible.
The filing also points to post‑shooting property transfers by Katherine involving multiple Clark County homes and a revocable trust, alleging these moves, combined with Dylan’s threats and Katherine’s conduct, support a claim of civil conspiracy among Houston family members.
The suit brings seven causes of action, including wrongful death, civil conspiracy, battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, and negligence.
It seeks unspecified general and special damages, plus punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and a jury trial.
The defendants have not yet filed responses in the civil case. All allegations in the complaint remain unproven and will be tested in court.
Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.
