Representative Tom Dent faced every parent's nightmare when his son became the victim of a senseless act of violence in Moses Lake, Washington.

According to Just The News, the Republican lawmaker's 32-year-old son Monty Dent survived a drive-by shooting on March 8, sustaining bullet wounds to his left arm and back while driving home from Taco Bell.

The incident unfolded around 8 p.m. when two vehicles displaying erratic behavior caught Monty's attention on Stratford Road. One car aggressively approached from behind with high beams blazing, prompting him to brake check the vehicle. Instead of backing off, the perpetrators pulled alongside Monty's car and opened fire.

Swift response saves shooting victim's life

Rep. Dent received the devastating news while on the House floor at approximately 8:45 p.m. His colleagues immediately mobilized support, contacting the governor's office and arranging State Patrol transportation. The State Patrol's Chief John Batiste personally assured assistance to the distressed lawmaker.

Representative Chris Corry of Yakima rushed Dent to the airport, where a State Patrol plane awaited to transport him to Spokane. The quick response allowed Dent to reach the hospital shortly after his son's arrival by airlift.

Medical professionals in both Moses Lake and Spokane provided exceptional care. Despite initial fears of potential spinal damage, the bullet missed Monty's spine, with arm injuries being the most severe. He was released the following day to recover at his parents' home.

Investigation reveals possible case of mistaken identity

Law enforcement took one suspect into custody on March 14, recovering a firearm that may be linked to the shooting. However, authorities continue searching for additional suspects, as Monty reported seeing four individuals during the incident.

Police obtained a crucial lead through a license plate number connected to an earlier altercation involving the suspect vehicle. Rep. Dent suggests the shooting might have resulted from mistaken identity, as his son had no connection to the previous confrontation at a local store.

The investigation revealed a particularly chilling detail: several bullets penetrated a car seat in Monty's vehicle. His 13-month-old daughter, who normally occupies that seat, was fortunately not present during the incident.

Community support highlights crisis response effectiveness

Rep. Dent expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelming support received during the crisis. As he shared with investigators:

There were a lot of prayers sent, and I received a lot of emails and texts from other members of the legislature. And the response from the governor's office to turn the State Patrol loose to help me was so incredible. I really can't say enough about the response.

The Moses Lake Police Department demonstrated additional community support by providing a new car seat for Monty's daughter. The gesture symbolized the department's commitment to helping the family recover from the traumatic experience.

Rep. Dent voiced his hope that this harrowing experience might catalyze positive change. He reflected on the incident's broader significance:

What is the pathway to start bringing people back together with some kind of respect? You read about this stuff and hear about it in the media and all of a sudden here it is in your lap. We live in a relatively conservative community where you just don't think about this happening, but guess what, it's here.

Moving forward after violence strikes home

A Washington state representative's world turned upside down when his son fell victim to a drive-by shooting in Moses Lake on March 8. Monty Dent, 32, survived bullet wounds to his arm and back after unknown assailants opened fire on his vehicle while returning home from a fast-food run. The case continues developing as law enforcement maintains an active investigation, with one suspect in custody and others still at large. The incident, potentially stemming from mistaken identity, has prompted discussions about community safety and respect, even in traditionally peaceful areas.