(SEATTLE, WA, 11/4/2026)—The Washington state chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the Spokane Police Department to investigate a possible bias motive for the killing of Smaah Adam in a hit-and-run on October 26.
Adam was Muslim, a single mother of six, and a chef at Feast World Kitchen, a nonprofit restaurant. She wore an Islamic head scarf, or hijab. On Monday, Eli Hampshire was charged with vehicular homicide and hit-and-run for the death of Adam and for tampering with evidence, along with his girlfriend Heather Langman. His bail was set at $1 million.
According to local media reports:
“Police were able to pull surveillance video from a nearby 7-Eleven, which showed a dark Ford Flex driving west on the S-curve of Maxwell and N. Cedar Street. Investigators say instead of following the roadway as it straightened after the curve, the Flex drove into the shoulder of Maxwell, hit Adam, then turned right onto Walnut Street. A crash investigator determined the shoulder where Adam was parked was ‘abnormally wide’ and her car was parked all the way to the curb, leaving a space of five-and-a-half feet between her driver side and the fog line of the roadway, ‘almost wide enough for an additional vehicle to park.’”
SEE: Man charged with vehicular homicide of Feast World Kitchen chef, girlfriend also charged
In a statement, Imraan Siddiqi, CAIR-WA’s Executive Director, said:
“We thank law enforcement and those who came forward with information, which led to this arrest. With the heightened environment of anti-Muslim bigotry nationwide, we ask law enforcement to probe whether religious bias played a role in this murder, as Smaah was a visibly Muslim woman who wore hijab. We hope the family receives justice in this case, and we stand with the Spokane community in solidarity.”
CAIR-WA has seen an increase in Islamophobia in Washington state, particularly in this election season. Those who knew Adam are also contending with hateful and biased comments on social media about her death.
Feast World Kitchen is raising funds to cover funeral expenses and support Adam’s six children: https://feast-world-kitchen.givecloud.co/fundraising/forms/VZD2MNER
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.