Man charged two days after another stabbed in Marrickville

A man has been charged with murder after another was fatally stabbed outside a Mexican fast food restaurant after having dinner with his family two days ago.

A man has been charged after another was fatally stabbed outside a Mexican fast food restaurant in Marrickville.

Police confirmed on Wednesday evening a 31 year-old man had been arrested at Concord about 5:40pm, two days after a manhunt began when Sitaleki Filihiahekava was stabbed to death outside Guzman y Gomez on Marrickville Rd after having dinner with his family.

Following investigations, about 5.40pm yesterday, a 31-year-old man was arrested at Concord.

He was taken to Burwood Police Station where he was charged with murder.

He has been refused bail to appear before Burwood Local Court on Thursday.

It comes after mourners held a vigil for 32 year-old Mr Filihiahekava on Tuesday evening at the spot where he died on the busy footpath in Sydney’s inner west.

A group of people lined the footpath outside Guzman y Gomez on Marrickville Rd about 8pm, where members of the small crowd stood with heads bowed and their hands in their pockets, with solemn expressions.

Mourners laid flowers at the spot where Mr Filihiahekava died from his injuries. Picture: Supplied

A vigil held outside Guzman y Gomez Marrickville for the man fatally stabbed on Monday. Picture: Supplied

Dozens of bouquets of flowers were laid on at the spot on the kerb where Mr Filihiahekava died from his injuries despite the efforts of emergency services to revive him.

Mr Filihiahekava was known to be an associate of Dejan “Danny the Serb” Radulovic, who was stabbed to death in Balmain in what police allege was a drug deal gone wrong.

Sitaleki Filihiahekava, 32 was having dinner with his family moments before he was stabbed to death on a Marrickville footpath on Monday night. Facebook.”

Mr Filihiahekava can also be seen in Facebook photos posing with William Siale, who was shot at by a masked gunman as he sat in a barber shop on Marrickville Rd last July.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mr Siale in any incident.

NSW Police have said they believe the fatal attack on Mr Filihiahekava was targeted, and are investigating possible links to organised crime.

Local officers and paramedics rushed to the scene of about 7:40pm on Monday and performed CPR but Mr Filihiahekava couldn’t be revived.

A man is dead after a stabbing in Marrickville on Monday night. Picture: TNV.

A scuffle broke out soon after. Picture: TNV

A scuffle broke out soon after, with one man - understood to be Mr Filihiahekava’s brother, restrained and several others seen in a heated discussion with officers after they arrived at the scene where the dead man lay.

One man was heard screaming, “He’s my f***ing brother, don’t touch me,” before police moved the group away and cordoned off the area.

Inner West Police Area Command Acting Commander, Superintendent Ben Kennis said Mr Filihiahekava - who is known to police, was having dinner with family moments before he was stabbed to death by his attacker on the footpath, it what detectives believe to be a targeted incident.

“The victim was with a number of people at a restaurant in Marrickville prior to the incident,” he said.

“We believe at this point the two people met and the attack was somewhat targeted and not random.

“They did meet at that intersection where the incident took place. It was clear they did know each other.

“There was a very brief encounter and it didn’t last long until that male was stabbed.”

Police have set up a large crime scene. Picture: TNV

The scene shortly after the stabbing. Picture: Supplied

Superintendent Kennis said the attacker was captured on CCTV footage fleeing down a nearby street moments after the incident however he could not yet release a description of that offender.

“The offender is unknown at this stage and was last seen running down Silver St in Marrickville,” he said.

“This morning detectives continue to work hard to conduct canvassing to try and identify the offender.”

Superintendent Kennis described the crime scene following the stabbing as “highly emotive.”

The man could not be saved. Picture: TNV

Paramedics scrambling to revive the man. Picture: TNV

“A number of family and friends did converge on the crime scene,” he said.

“I can’t say with any certainty how they found out was happened.

“A male did breach the crime scene and had to be restrained by police, a taser was drawn however not deployed.”

Superintendent Kennis also said police are now investigating if there are any organised crime links to the incident.

He confirmed a sharp weapon was used during the attack but could not suggest “with any certainty” it was a knife.

Family, friends and teammates of Mr Filihiahekava - who was a member of the Mascot Junior Rugby League club, shared tributes on social media to the “well liked” footballer.

“It is with sincere regret we advise the passing of one of our Clubs players Sitaleki Filihiahekava last evening in terrible circumstances,” club president Frank Cookson wrote on Facebook.

“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.”

Originally published as Man charged two days after another stabbed in Marrickville