How alleged Marrickville killer Snoee Badman had been embroiled in a bitter drill rap feud – before he allegedly stabbed a rugby league player to death outside a Guzman y Gomez
Accused killer ‘Snoee Badman’ was involved in a bitter feud with a fellow drill rapper before allegedly stabbing a rugby league player to death.
Jacob Tammer-Spence, 30, allegedly killed 32-year-old Sitaleki ‘Leki’ Filihiahekava outside a Guzman y Gomez store in Marrickville, in Sydney’s inner west, about 7.40pm on Monday, while the footy player was eating with his family.
Tammer-Spence, who uses the rap name ‘Snoee Badman’, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon. He is due to appear at Burwood Local Court on Thursday charged with murder.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Snoee Badman has been in a long-running drill-rap battle against Michael Sofilas, also known as Nter.
In May last year, Badman released a song called ‘Eye for an Eye’ in which he referenced their beef and highlighted that Nter’s mother died of a heroin overdose.
Two weeks later, Nter responded with a diss track titled ‘Snoe Fall’, in which he made homophobic comments and described his rival as a ‘fake gangster’.
Nter was one of many people to pay tribute to Filihiahekava online after his death, sharing a photo of the footballer walking and dancing near a swimming pool.
“This world is too cruel a man,” Nter wrote.
Jacob Tammer-Spence, known as Snoee Badman, has been charged with murder
In the photo: Michael Sofilas, also known as Nter
“Another real one gone.”
Filihiahekava is believed to have had dinner before leaving and had a brief encounter with another man prior to the alleged stabbing, police said.
Police believe the alleged stabbing was a targeted attack and are investigating possible links with organized crime.
Earlier on Wednesday it was revealed that Mr Filihiahekava was an associate of Dejan ‘Danny’ Radulovic, who was beaten and stabbed in Balmain in July last year.
Radulovic was on parole at the time for drug supply, and police suspect the attack stemmed from a drug-related dispute.
Filihiahekava was also friends with William Siale, who was shot with his brother Eric while in a barbershop in July last year.
The Siale brothers survived the shooting that took place on the same street where Mr Filihiahekava died on Monday.
Police and distressed relatives rushed to his aid and administered first aid, but despite their efforts, Mr. Filihiahekava could not be saved.
Witnesses heard the “heartbreaking” cries of the man’s mother as his brother arrived at the scene and tried to lift the sheet covering the body.
Police restrained the distraught man who shouted: “He’s my fucking brother, don’t touch me.”
“It was a very emotional crime scene,” Acting Chief Inspector Ben Kennis told reporters.
Snoee Badman must appear in court on Thursday
Nter is pictured in the video for his song ‘Snoe Fall’
‘A man entered the crime scene and had to be restrained by police.’
Other distressed relatives were heard wailing as police searched the area with flashlights for evidence and interviewed nearby shopkeepers.
Mr Filihiahekava’s relatives were led away by police before the scene was cordoned off.
Chief Inspector Kennis explained that police claim ‘two people met and the attack was somewhat targeted’.
“It was not random in nature,” he claimed. “It’s too early to say if they had arranged it… it was clear they knew each other.”
Chief Inspector Kennis did not comment on Mr Filihiahekava’s injuries, but said they were inflicted with a ‘sharp instrument’.
‘I don’t know if it was a knife… I do know it was a sharp instrument, based on the injuries. “I cannot say for certain what weapon was used,” he said.
Bouquets of flowers, handwritten notes and a lit candle were left outside the front of the Mexican restaurant on Tuesday morning as Mr Filihiahekava’s loved ones struggle to come to terms with his loss.
“Rest in peace my brother,” it read.
Sitaleki Filihiahekava (pictured centre) was a popular player with the Mascot Juniors, a semi-professional rugby league football club based in Mascot, South Sydney
Flowers and cards were left outside the restaurant where Mr Filihiahekava was killed as a vigil was held the following evening.
Many were seen in tears and comforting each other as they stood in the same spot where Mr. Filihiahekava died.
Rugby league club Mascot Juniors shared a moving tribute to the rugby player on social media after his death.
Mascot Juniors football club chairman Frank Cookson described Mr Filihiahekava as a ‘well-liked and respected’ member of the A Reserve first team team.
“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,” he wrote.
“To the extended Filihiahekava family and Leki’s many friends, we extend our deepest condolences. RIP Leki, your cheerful, friendly personality will be greatly missed.”