Hunt for man in ‘targeted’ Marrickville stabbing continues, victim named

The victim of a deadly stabbing in Sydney’s Inner West overnight has been identified as a local rugby league player.

A man killed in a stabbing attack outside a busy restaurant in suburban Sydney has been identified.

He has been named as 32-year-old Sitaleki ‘Leki’ Filihiahekava, with his death announced by a man involved in his local rugby league club.

“It is with sincere regret we advise the passing of one of our Clubs players Sitaleki Filihiahekava last evening in terrible circumstances,” the man posted on social media.

“Leki was a well liked and respected integral member of our A Reserve grade Premiership team two weeks ago where he performed admirably.

“To the extensive Filihiahekava family and Leki’s multitude of friends we express our deepest sympathy.

“RIP Leki your happy, friendly personality will be greatly missed.”

Stabbing victim Sitaleki Filihiahekava. Picture: Facebook

Mr Filihiahekava was part of a local rugby league club. Picture: Facebook

Commenters offered their condolences to Mr Filihiahekava’s family and friends.

“What an absolute Champion you were Leki. My full condolences to all the family. Leki was a wonderful person, had time for everyone,” one man said.

“Toka a ihe nonga Leki,” another posted, which translated from Tongan means rest in peace Leki.

“Champion bloke gone too soon,” another person commented.

A manhunt is still underway after Mr Filihiahekava was stabbed to death in a busy restaurant precinct in Sydney’s Inner West overnight.

Police were called to the scene on Marrickville Road, Marrickville, at about 7.40pm on Monday following reports a man had been stabbed on the footpath.

The man police are hunting was last seen running down Silver Street.

Authorities encountered an emotionally charged scene, with the brother of the victim reportedly having to be restrained by officers as the man’s family converged on the area

Speaking to media on Tuesday morning, NSW Police Acting Superintendent Ben Kennis said the man who died was a 32-year-old who was known to police.

Inner west Acting Superintendent Ben Kennis says police believe the attack was targeted, and there is no ongoing threat to the community. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

CPR could not resuscitate Mr Filihiahekava. Given the injuries police know he was stabbed, but are not certain a knife was used. No weapons have been recovered.

The incident occurred outside a Guzman Y Gomez restaurant.

A “large” crime scene was set up, which forensics combed on Monday night, the Inspector said.

Officers are now scouring for more CCTV and are conducting line searches.

The offender is still at large and was last seen running down Silver Street in Marrickville.

Superintendent Kennis declined to describe the offender.

“I can’t release that information yet only because it’s too early … The community can rest assured, we believe these two people met up, and it was targeted,” he said.

“It was not a random attack on Marrickville Road. The community can be assured of that.”

Police are urging anyone with information, dashcam or phone footage to contact the authorities.

“We believe, at this point, the two people met and the attack was somewhat targeted. It was not random in nature,” Superintendent Kennis said.

“It was too early to say if they arranged it … It was clear they did know each other.

“That meet up is purely based on the CCTV footage, we do not have an identity for the offender at this point.”

A general view of the Guzman Gomez on Marrickville Road and the corner of Illawarra Street in Marrickville where a man was allegedly stabbed to death outside. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Family members of the victim were at the scene quickly. Police declined to say what area the deceased man lived in.

Superintendent Kennis confirmed the victim was at a restaurant with a group before the attack.

“It is too early for me to say how the family got there so quickly; however, a number of family and friends did converge on the crime scene. It was a highly emotive crime scene at the time,” he said.

A man did breach the crime scene, possibly the dead man’s brother, and he had to be restrained.

“Again, I’ll say it was highly emotive. A taser was drawn, however it was not deployed,” he said.

“Confronting for police and emergency services as you can imagine. This is 7.40pm, peak dinner time on Marrickville Rd, lots of restaurants, lots of businesses, licensed premises in the area.

“To have this happen on Marrickville Rd, or anywhere, is unacceptable. Knife crime is unacceptable.”

Police are combing for more CCTV footage and witnesses Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Superintendent Kennis said there were a lot of restaurants in that area and urged anyone in the venues with information to come forward.

He would not elaborate on the deceased person’s history, other than that he was known to police, and police were investigating any possible organised crime links to the incident.

Police are speaking to the group who were at dinner with the victim, his family, and other witnesses.

“This happened at 7.40pm last night. It is still very early days. Detectives did work most of the night and they’re back again very early this morning.”

According to The Daily Telegraph, a scuffle broke out as police were in attendance.

One man was restrained and tasered by police. Several other people were seen arguing with police as the man lay on the street.

He’s my f***ing brother, don’t touch me,” The Telegraph reported one of the men as saying.

Marrickville Rd was closed at the junction with Illawarra Rd, a key intersection in the suburb.

Several other streets were also closed at the time, but have since reopened.

As investigations commence, anyone with information about the matter – or who were in the area at the time with any available dashcam/mobile phone footage – are asked to contact Marrickville Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Hunt for man in ‘targeted’ Marrickville stabbing continues, victim named