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Coroner releases cause of death for victims, suspect in Las Vegas law office shooting

Law office shooting
Law office shooting
Law office shooting
Law office shooting
Law office shooting
Shooting at law office
Shooting at law office
Posted at 10:38 AM, Apr 08, 2024
and last updated 2024-04-10 14:43:31-04

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Three people are dead after a shooting at a law office in the Summerlin area on Monday morning.

A source tells us shots were fired amid a deposition, and that the shooter killed two people before fatally shooting himself.

Additional sources told Channel 13 police were responding to Prince Law Group, with offices located on the corner of Charleston Boulevard and Pavilion Center Drive.

Live updates on this developing story are as follows:

Wednesday, April 10, 11:19 a.m. — The Clark County coroner's office on Wednesday revealed the cause and manner of death for Ashley and Dennis Prince and Joe Houston II.

Multiple sources in law enforcement and the legal community previously told Channel 13 Houston shot Ashley and Dennis Prince during a deposition on Monday, before fatally shooting himself.

The coroner's ruling appears to confirm that information. The office ruled both Ashley and Dennis Prince's manner of death a homicide. Houston's death was ruled a suicide.

Both Ashley and Dennis Prince died from multiple gunshot wounds, medical examiners determined.

An autopsy determined Houston died from a perforating contact gunshot wound to the head.

Tuesday, April 9, 11:18 a.m. — The Houston family issued a statement expressing "profound shock and sadness" at what occurred on Monday, adding that "speculation about details of the incident only serves to add trauma to our already grieving and overwhelmed families."

Their full statement follows:

“Our family is in a state of profound shock and sadness at yesterday’s events. We ask for prayers and privacy as we try to navigate the coming days. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is still conducting their investigation and as that continues, speculation about details of the incident only serves to add trauma to our already grieving and overwhelmed families. We have full faith in Metro’s efforts and will leave all future comment to them as their investigation unfolds.”

5:56 p.m. — Prince Law Group released the following statement regarding Monday's shooting:

With profound sadness, Prince Law Group would like to thank everyone who has reached out to us with heartfelt messages of concern and sympathy over the tragic violence that occurred this morning in our offices. We ask that you please respect the privacy of the families involved.

Channel 13 is also learning new details regarding the relationship between Ashley Prince and her ex-husband Dylan Houston. Court records revealed the two were married in October 2017 and after four years and two kids, Dylan Houston filed for divorce. At first, the couple split custody evenly, but in the spring of 2022, Ashley asked to modify the custody agreement.

The court also ordered Dylan to undergo regular drug and alcohol screenings and to remain at least 100 yards away from Ashley's home, work, and parents' home.

Ashley and Dennis Prince were married in late 2023.

5:15 p.m. — Lt. Jason Johansson provided new details regarding the shooting. A total of seven people were present during the shooting: three representing one party, three representing the other, and a court reporter. He added that the building is expected to reopen tomorrow except for Suite 560, where the crime took place.

Watch the entire press briefing with Lt. Johansson here.

5 p.m. press briefing on April 8 triple fatal shooing at Summerlin law firm

1:36 p.m. — Multiple sources in both law enforcement and the legal community have identified attorney Joe Houston as the gunman who killed two people and himself at a Summerlin area law office this morning.

Among the victims are Houston's former daughter-in-law, Ashley Prince, and her new husband, attorney Dennis Prince, sources say.

Those same sources explain that Joe Houston was representing his son, Dylan Houston (also an attorney), in child custody proceedings with Ashley Prince — who was being represented in those same proceedings by her new husband.

Joe Houston, Ashley Prince and Dennis Prince were present for a deposition in the custody case involving Ashley and her former husband (Houston's son). The former couple have two young children together.

Houston is said to have shot Ashley and Dennis Prince before turning the weapon on himself. Sources also tell us that the now-deceased couple (Dennis and Ashley Prince) recently welcomed a new baby — their only child together.

1:30 p.m. — The Vegas Golden Knights issued this statement in response to the shooting, which took place near their practice facility:

"We are aware of the situation that took place near City National Arena late this morning. Our thoughts are with the victims of this act of violence and we thank our first responders for their swift action."

1 p.m. — Channel 13 crews have the latest updates from the dynamic scene of a shooting in Summerlin:

Live: 2 victims, suspect dead in Summerlin law office shooting

11:58 a.m. — Officials ask that those trying to get in touch with a loved one who works at the office building where the shooting occurred — do NOT call 911. Instead, you can call 702-455-AIDE to reach victim services.

11:51 a.m. — Watch as Sheriff Kevin McMahill and Chief John Steinbeck share updates on an active shooter incident at a local law office:

LIVE: Official update on active shooter at Las Vegas law office

11:35 a.m. — Abel Garcia spoke with one of the employees who was inside the building when the shooting began.

Witness recounts active shooter situation at Summerlin area business

11:20 a.m. — Bryan Horwath is outside the office building where dozens of employees were evacuated after the fatal shooting.

People evacuated after shooting at Summerlin area business

11:03 a.m. — Joe Moeller walks us through the scene outside a law office where three people were killed on Monday:

LIVE: Joe Moeller reports from scene of shooting with multiple victims