A Routine Hearing Turns Deadly (Image Credits: Pixabay)
Summerlin, Las Vegas – Two years after gunfire erupted in a routine child custody deposition, a key witness has launched a negligence lawsuit against the estate of the murdered attorney. Lisa Rasmussen, who sat mere feet from the shooter, claims Dennis Prince overlooked known threats tied to a bitter family dispute. The April 8, 2024, tragedy at Prince Law Group left two dead and survivors grappling with lasting trauma.[1][2]
A Routine Hearing Turns Deadly
The conference room on the fifth floor of the City National Bank Building buzzed with tension that morning. Seven people gathered for the deposition of Katherine Houston in a heated custody battle: Dennis Prince, Ashley Prince, associate attorney Shannon Wilson, court reporter Lisa Filiberti, Kelley Houston, her husband Joseph Houston II, and Rasmussen, who represented Kelley and the couple’s daughter Taylor.[3] Joseph Houston, a 77-year-old attorney, had stepped in to represent his son Dylan in the dispute with ex-wife Ashley Prince.
Dennis Prince swore in Kelley Houston and posed just three questions about Dylan’s drinking habits. Then came a deafening bang. Rasmussen spotted a gun barrel emerging from Joseph’s sleeve as he stood and fired across the table. She grabbed her client and bolted toward locked double doors, pounding for help while shouting to call 911. Gunshots echoed – up to five more – before Joseph turned the weapon on himself.[4]
Roots in a Vicious Custody Fight
The underlying case pitted Dylan Houston against Ashley Prince over their children, marked by deep animosity. Joseph Houston represented his son pro bono, while Dennis Prince advocated for Ashley. Emails beforehand hinted at friction; Joseph had requested Ashley’s absence from the deposition, but Dennis overruled it.[3]
Rasmussen later described the atmosphere as toxic but not violent. Joseph appeared jovial upon arrival, asking early on if the parties could resolve issues for the children’s sake. No one anticipated the outburst. The firm closed permanently months later, in June 2024.[1]
Claims of Foreknowledge and Negligence
Rasmussen’s eight-page complaint, filed April 8, 2026, in Clark County District Court, accuses Dennis Prince and his firm of negligence. She alleges they possessed “advanced knowledge of a potential security and/or safety threat” from threats linked to the family court matter. Despite considering safeguards, Prince opted against them and issued no warnings to attendees.[1]
“Dennis Prince knew of a potential danger to the security and safety of those attending the deposition,” the suit states. Rasmussen, now suffering anxiety, sleeplessness, and intrusive thoughts, seeks punitive damages, attorney fees, and a jury trial from Prince’s estate and the firm.[2] She fled to a hallway, dialed 911, and reflected afterward: “I wasn’t thinking about this ending in any kind of violence; let alone the way it resulted.”
- Deposition attendees not warned of threats.
- No security measures implemented despite awareness.
- Prince rejected seating changes that might have heightened caution.
- Rasmussen represented deponent Kelley Houston as grandmother to the children involved.
- Emotional distress claims stem from proximity to the gunfire.
Parallel Suits Target Houston Family
Court reporter Lisa Filiberti also sued on the two-year anniversary, targeting Joseph Houston’s estate and wife Kelley. Her complaint alleges conspiracy and negligence, claiming they knew a stenographer would be present during any violence. Filiberti crawled from the room amid chaos.[2]
Other actions include wrongful death suits by Dennis Prince’s children Scot and Taylor Prince See, plus ex-wife Nancy Bernstein, who claims harm to their shared child. These target the Houstons, citing post-shooting property transfers by Kelley as evidence of prior knowledge. No court dates are set yet in the recent filings.[1]
Key Takeaways
- The shooting claimed Dennis and Ashley Prince during a custody deposition.
- Survivors allege failures in threat communication and security.
- Multiple suits seek accountability two years later, invoking statutes of limitations.
This cascade of litigation underscores vulnerabilities in high-stakes family law proceedings, where emotions run high and stakes involve children. As courts weigh these claims, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance. What steps should law firms take in contentious cases? Share your thoughts in the comments.
