(Just The News)—A Washington state lawmaker is sharing exclusive details of the terrifying incident last weekend in which his 32-year-old son was shot near his Moses Lake home.
Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, spoke with The Center Square Saturday, one week after his son Monty Dent was injured in a drive-by shooting.
Dent, who is serving his sixth term in the legislature, said he was notified Friday, March 14, that one person had been taken into custody in connection with the incident, but others remain at large.
“He went to Taco Bell to get some food for his family, and he started for home and there was a couple of cars acting erratic on the road,” Dent said, sharing what his son told him about the moments just before bullets riddled his vehicle along Stratford Road shortly after 8 p.m., March 8.
Dent said his son told him the car came up right behind with high beams on.
“He brake checked them and they didn’t back off, but pulled up alongside and started shooting,” said Dent. “He felt a sting but didn’t know what was happening, but then realized he was probably shot, so he got off the road and got the car stopped.”
The shooter’s vehicle took off. Dent had bullet wounds to his left arm in two places and to his back. He called 911 and help arrived quickly.
“They do have one in custody, and we have a name from police put out yesterday, but Monty thought there were four,” said Dent, who also said Moses Lake police and Grant County Sherriff’s officers are actively working the case.
A firearm was recovered with the person taken into custody and police are working to confirm if it was the gun used in the shooting.
The lawmaker shared the panic of learning about the shooting while he was on the floor of the House about 8:45 p.m. that Saturday. The phone call came from Monty’s girlfriend who was still confused about what had happened and told Dent that Monty had been in a car crash and had been shot.
Dent said the moments that followed were a flurry of fellow lawmakers and staffers offering to help as he frantically tried to get more information.
“They immediately called the governor’s office, which then went to State Patrol and Chief John Batiste called me and said, ‘I’ve got you and will take you wherever you need to go,’ and I didn’t even know where we were going,” said Dent.
Dent said Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, rushed him outside to Corry’s personal vehicle and they headed to the airport.
“They would not let me drive anywhere, and they told me State Patrol already had pilots on the way to the airport,” he recalled.
Dent said his wife then notified him their son was being airlifted to Spokane and the State Patrol plane took off in a hurry.
“I got there probably ten minutes after my son got there and he was so happy to see me,” recalled Dent who shared that his son was scared because he knew he’d been shot in the back, and could end up with a permanent spinal injury.
Thankfully the bullet did not reach his spine, and Dent said the arm wounds are the worst of it.
“They did all the right things, and I can’t praise them enough in Moses Lake and in Spokane, everybody was amazing,” said Dent, referring to the medical professionals who tended to his son.
Monty went home the next day and has been recovering at his parents home.
“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,” he said. “I really can’t say enough about the response.”
Dent said Saturday he was waiting for a detective to send him pictures of his son’s car, which was reportedly riddled with bullet holes. The vehicle is being held for evidence.
The situation could have been so much worse, given the fact Monty Dent has a baby girl who is just 13-months-old, but was thankfully not in the car. Several bullets tore through the car seat buckled in the back.
“If the baby had been in the car seat, how would that have gone?” said Dent. “That was the blessing in that he was by himself in the car.”
Dent said Moses Lake Police brought a brand-new car seat for the baby.
He said it’s unclear if the suspect in custody has any gang ties or what the motive was for the shooting, but Dent said there was another altercation that his son was not involved with, that did involve the suspect vehicle, so he suggested it could have been mistaken identity when they came upon his son’s car.
“There was another altercation with these guys that did the shooting at some store and I think maybe these guys thought he was somebody else because my son said he was never at that store, so I think it was mistaken identity,” he said.
Dent said police got a license plate number on the suspect vehicle from the altercation at the store, so that’s what led to Friday’s arrest.
Dent said once the investigation is complete and things settle down, he’s hoping the awful incident can lead to some good, somehow.
“What is the pathway to start bringing people back together with some kind of respect?” said Dent. “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.”
Bypass Big Tech Censors
Safeguarding Your American Dream: Discover the Power of America First Healthcare
In today’s economy, healthcare costs remain one of the biggest threats to financial stability and family security. Americans work hard to build a better life, yet rising medical expenses can quickly erode savings, force tough trade-offs, and even push families toward debt or bankruptcy. Medical bills continue to rank as the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, with millions facing underinsurance or unexpected out-of-pocket burdens that no one plans for. Many turn to government-run marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act, hoping for relief, only to discover that what appears affordable on paper often delivers higher long-term costs, limited real protection, and coverage that may not align with personal values or family needs.
America First Healthcare stands out as a private insurance agency dedicated to helping conservatives and families secure better coverage and better rates through customized, values-aligned options. By conducting free insurance reviews, the agency uncovers hidden gaps in existing policies and connects clients with private alternatives that emphasize personal responsibility, small-government principles, and genuine affordability—often delivering up to 20% savings while providing stronger protection for the American Dream.
The allure of marketplace plans is easy to understand: open enrollment periods, premium tax credits for many households, and the promise of “comprehensive” benefits mandated by law. Yet recent data reveals a different reality, especially after the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies at the end of 2025. Enrollment for 2026 dropped by more than one million people compared to the prior year, with many shifting to lower-tier bronze plans to keep monthly premiums manageable.
These plans feature significantly higher deductibles—averaging around $7,500 nationally—and greater cost-sharing requirements. Families who once paid modest amounts after subsidies now face average premium increases of $65 or more per month, even as they accept plans that leave them responsible for thousands in upfront costs before meaningful coverage kicks in.
High deductibles create a dangerous barrier to care. Studies show that people in such plans are less likely to seek timely treatment for chronic conditions, attend preventive screenings, or fill necessary prescriptions. A seemingly minor illness or injury can balloon into major expenses when patients delay care until problems worsen. For a family of four, a single hospitalization, cancer diagnosis, or unexpected surgery can easily exceed the deductible, triggering coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums that still leave substantial bills. One recent analysis noted that some proposed changes could push family deductibles toward $31,000 in future years, further exposing households to financial risk.
Beyond the numbers, marketplace plans often carry structural limitations. Coverage for certain critical services may include waiting periods or narrower networks that restrict access to preferred doctors and specialists. Preventive care is required to be covered without cost-sharing, but everything else—lab work, imaging, specialist visits, or ongoing treatment—typically waits until the deductible is met. This reactive model contrasts sharply with the proactive, holistic approach many families prefer, especially those focused on wellness, early intervention, and maintaining health to enjoy life rather than merely reacting to illness.
Values alignment represents another growing concern. Government-influenced plans operate within a framework shaped by federal mandates and political priorities that may not reflect conservative principles of limited government, personal freedom, and ethical stewardship. Families who want to direct their healthcare dollars toward providers and benefits that honor traditional values sometimes find marketplace options feel misaligned, forcing a compromise between affordability and conviction.
Private alternatives, by contrast, offer year-round flexibility without the restrictions of open enrollment windows. Independent agents can shop across a wider range of carriers to design plans tailored to specific family needs—whether that means lower deductibles for frequent medical users, broader provider networks, or add-ons that support wellness and preventive services from day one. Clients frequently report more stable premiums that do not automatically escalate each year, along with genuine cost savings once the full picture of deductibles, copays, and coverage depth is considered.
Take the experience of real families who made the switch. Amanda C. shared that her new plan felt “way better” than what she had through the marketplace. Johnny Y. noted his previous coverage kept increasing annually until he found a more stable private option. Sofia S. expressed delight with her plan and began recommending it to others. These stories echo a common theme: when families move beyond one-size-fits-all government marketplaces, they often discover customized protection that better safeguards both health and finances.
Founder Jordan Sarmiento’s own journey underscores the stakes. In 2021, a six-day hospitalization generated a $95,000 bill. Under a well-structured private “Conservative Care Coverage” plan, his out-of-pocket responsibility would have been just $500. That stark difference illustrates how thoughtful planning and private options can prevent a medical event from becoming a financial catastrophe.
Practical steps exist for anyone questioning their current coverage. Start with a no-obligation review of your existing policy to identify gaps—high deductibles, limited critical-care benefits, or escalating premiums. Compare total projected costs (premiums plus potential out-of-pocket expenses) rather than monthly premiums alone. Consider family health history, anticipated needs, and lifestyle priorities. Private agencies can present side-by-side options that include stronger wellness incentives, broader access, and plans built on shared values of self-reliance and freedom.
In an era when healthcare inflation continues to outpace general cost-of-living increases, relying solely on marketplace solutions carries growing risk. Families who proactively explore private alternatives frequently achieve meaningful savings while gaining peace of mind that their coverage truly works when needed most.
America First Healthcare makes this exploration straightforward through its free review process. Families and individuals receive personalized guidance to close coverage holes, reduce unnecessary expenses, and secure plans that align with conservative principles—protecting wallets, health, and the American Dream without government overreach. Many who complete a review discover they can enjoy better benefits for less, often saving up to 20% while gaining the customization and stability that marketplace plans struggle to deliver.
Ultimately, protecting your family’s future requires looking beyond the marketing of “affordable” government options. By understanding the long-term costs hidden in high deductibles, shifting coverage tiers, and values mismatches, Americans can make empowered choices. Private, values-driven insurance offers a smarter path—one that rewards diligence, supports wellness, and delivers real security. For those ready to move beyond the limitations of traditional marketplace plans, a simple review can reveal options designed to serve families, not bureaucracies. The American Dream thrives when individuals and families retain control over their healthcare decisions, and thoughtful private coverage plays a vital role in making that possible.