By Perry Duffin and Jessica McSweeney
Warning: Graphic content
An urgent manhunt is under way for a killer who stabbed a gifted rugby league player on the main street of Marrickville, leaving him to die in front of horrified family members and diners.
The teammates of Sitaleki Filihiahekava, who wore the number 10 for Mascot Juniors, are among those mourning his death, while others lay flowers and left candles on Marrickville Road.
The man stabbed to death in Marrickville has been identified as Sitaleki Filihiahekava.
Chaos erupted on the bustling restaurant strip about 7.40pm on Monday when the 32-year-old was stabbed during a “brief encounter” with his attacker, who fled the scene.
Police and ambulance paramedics performed CPR, but Filihiahekava could not be revived and died at outside Guzman y Gomez, an Australian-owned Mexican fast-food restaurant.
As police established a cordon after placing a sheet over the victim, a group of men rushed towards officers in an attempt to enter the crime scene.
A man was fatally stabbed on Marrickville Road in Marrickville. Credit: TNV
“It’s my f---ing brother,” one man yelled as officers dragged him away.
Police confirmed one man breached the crime scene.
A candle on the footpath outside Guzman y Gomez on Tuesday morning,
“He was hysterical,” a local resident said. “He laid down next to his brother, crying and yelling.”
Two officers, in footage from the scene, pulled the man to his feet and dragged him away as a third officer brandished a Taser, which was not deployed, senior police confirmed.
Mascot Juniors Rugby League said Filihiahekava wore the number 10 jersey, and would be deeply missed.
“Leki was a much loved player of our club who played with his heart on his sleeve (and always with a joke and a smile), every time he took the field with those he called his brothers,” the club posted online.
“Mascot Juniors will extend our support to his family, along with our players and officials during this difficult time. RIP Leki ... you will be missed by everyone at Mascot Juniors RLFC.”
Mascot Juniors stalwart Frank Cookson said Filihiahekava 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,” he wrote.
“RIP Leki your happy, friendly personality will be greatly missed.”
Police said the victim was known to police, but the identity of the alleged attacker is unknown. A male suspect was last seen running along Silver Street. However, police would not provide a description.
“We believe at this point that the two people met, and the attack was somewhat targeted, it was not random in nature,” Acting Superintendent Ben Kennis said.
Kennis described the scene as “highly emotive” and “confronting for police”.
A dozen officers spent Tuesday morning searching for evidence on Silver Street, and in particular, for the sharp weapon, perhaps a knife, that was used in the attack.
Flowers from a friend were left at the scene on Tuesday morning grieving the loss of “Big Leki”. A small candle was burning where he died.
“Too many drugs, too many criminals,” one elderly resident of Silver Street told this masthead.
Anyone in the area at the time of the stabbing with dashcam or footage has been asked to contact Marrickville police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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