SeaTac City Council member killed in car accident

Newly-appointed SeaTac City Council member Amina Ahmed was killed in a car accident Saturday afternoon.

“I am heartbroken by the loss,” said SeaTac Mayor Erin Sitterley. “She was a welcome addition to the Council and brought a fresh voice and unique perspective to the City. She will be missed at City Hall and her loss will impact the entire community.”

“We are devastated by the news of her passing,” said SeaTac City Manager Joseph Scorcio. “Over the years, City staff has worked extensively with Ahmed. She was such a positive force and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those she served.”

The accident occurred at South 188th Street and 16th Avenue South shortly after 1 p.m. on Saturday. The King County sheriff believes that Ahmed’s car crossed the center line, causing the crash. The driver of the other car was uninjured. Drugs or alcohol were not involved. The crash is still under investigation but those who knew and loved her are trying to make sense of the tragedy.

Her profound loss is devastating those in the Somali community.

“Amina has been a mother, a leader and a mentor for our community,” said OJ Hassan Dubow.

“I couldn’t believe it. The whole community was in shock last night,” added Abdirahman Hashi.

Ahmed, 52, was unanimously appointed in October to fill the vacant Council Position No. 5 through the general election next year.

“It was big, emotional moment for us,” said Dubow. “It wasn’t really from her. The community asked her. Amina, you are the person for that.”

Ahmed answered the call to service, just as she’d been doing for years long before her unanimous appointment by the council.

Dubow met her more than 20 years ago.

“When I came she was one of the first leaders I got to know. That really guided us through the system,” Dubow explained.

She worked in human services in SeaTac since 2002. She mentored countless numbers of people including Abdirahman Hashi whom she hired back in 2010.

“She’s given me inner strength about how I can see things beyond limitation,” said Hashi.

Council member Pam Fernald and Ahmed were seatmates. She first met Ahmed in 2007 and couldn’t wait to work with her.

“We’re all going to miss her a lot. And what could have been, what could have been here,” Fernald said.

Ahmed had two children and was a woman who always put others first. She believed in fairness and equity, and her legacy will be felt for generations to come.

The public is invited to the Abubakr Islamic Center in Tukwila where Ahmed’s life will be honored Monday at 12:30 p.m.

A vigil will also be held at SeaTac City Hall on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

By Siemny Kim, KIRO 7