CAIR-WA seeks bias investigation into Spokane hit-and-run death of Muslim chef

The Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations called on Spokane police on November 4 to investigate whether religious bias played a role in the hit-and-run death of Muslim chef Smaah Adam. The new request concerns the October 26 crash, not a new death or an established hate-crime finding.

CAIR-WA said Adam wore a hijab and was a single mother of six who worked at Feast World Kitchen, a nonprofit restaurant. Executive Director Imraan Siddiqi thanked investigators and people who provided information leading to an arrest, while asking police to examine a possible bias motive. The Spokesman-Review separately identified Adam as an Egyptian immigrant.

KREM reported that Eli Hampshire faces charges of vehicular homicide, hit-and-run and tampering with evidence. His girlfriend, Heather Langman, faces a charge of rendering criminal assistance. They appeared in court on November 2. Those allegations are not convictions; CAIR-WA's request does not establish that religious bias caused the crash.

According to KREM's account of court documents, Adam was beside her legally parked van when a Ford Flex struck her and left the scene. Investigators used witness accounts, surveillance video and vehicle parts to identify the suspect vehicle, which was later found abandoned in Stevens County. CAIR-WA said Feast World Kitchen was raising money for funeral costs and support for Adam's six children.