New details emerge after popular rugby league player killed in Marrickville stabbing outside Guzman y Gomez
New details have emerged about the accomplices of a popular rugby player who was stabbed to death outside a Mexican restaurant, with his killer still on the run.
Sitaleki ‘Leki’ Filihiahekava, 32, was fatally stabbed outside the Guzman y Gomez store in Marrickville, Sydney’s west, at around 7.40pm on Monday night after dining with his family.
Police believe it was a targeted attack and are investigating possible links to organised crime.
Mr Filihiahekava was a friend of Dejan ‘Danny’ Radulovic, who was murdered in Balmain in July last year after being brutally beaten and stabbed.
Mr Radulovic was under court supervision for drug trafficking at the time and police suspect the attack was the result of a drug-related dispute.
Mr Filihiahekava was also friends with William Siale, who was shot along with his brother Eric while sitting in a barbershop in July last year.
The Siale brothers survived the shooting that took place on the same street where Mr Filihiahekava was killed on Monday.
The murder of the 32-year-old man takes place while he is still in hiding. A vigil was held for the footballer outside Guzman y Gomez on Tuesday evening.
Popular rugby league player Sitaleki Filihiahekava, 32, was fatally stabbed outside the Guzman y Gomez store in Marrickville just before 8pm on Monday
Mr Filihiahekava was an accomplice of Dejan ‘Danny’ Radulovic (pictured), who was murdered in Balmain in July last year after being brutally beaten and stabbed.
Relatives gathered outside the fast food restaurant, where bouquets of flowers and handwritten cards had been left earlier in the day.
It is understood that Mr Filihiahekava and his attacker met outside the restaurant before he was stabbed. He had just finished dinner with his family before the fatal attack.
Police and family members rushed to the scene and administered first aid, but despite their efforts, Mr Filihiahekava could not be saved.
Witnesses heard the man’s mother’s “heartbreaking” screams as his brother arrived at the scene and tried to lift the sheet covering the body.
Police stopped the distraught man who was screaming, “It’s my fucking brother, don’t touch me.”
The brother was overpowered by police and a taser was drawn, but not used.
Bouquets of flowers, handwritten notes and a burning candle were left outside the Mexican restaurant on Tuesday morning as Mr Filihiahekava’s loved ones struggled to cope with the loss.
Sitaleki Filihiahekava (pictured centre) was a popular player at Mascot Juniors, a semi-professional rugby league football club based in Mascot, in Sydney’s south.
Heartbroken relatives of a young man who was stabbed outside a popular Mexican restaurant have returned to the scene of the shocking crime to leave flowers and pay their respects
Relatives laid flowers and cards outside the restaurant where Mr Filihiahekava was murdered throughout the day. A vigil was held on Tuesday evening.
Many stood crying and comforting at the spot where their partner lost their life.
Frank Cookson, chairman of the Mascot Juniors football club, said Mr Filihiahekava will be greatly missed.
“It is with sincere regret that we report the passing of one of our club players, Sitaleki Filihiahekava, last night in terrible circumstances,” he wrote.
‘Leki was a much loved and respected member of our A Reserve Grade Premiership team two weeks ago, where he performed admirably.
‘We extend our deepest condolences to the extended Filihiahekava family and Leki’s many friends.
‘RIP Leki, your cheerful, friendly personality will be greatly missed.’
Friends stood outside the restaurant for hours on Tuesday after the fatal stabbing
Filihiahekava (pictured left) was a ‘much loved and respected member of the A Reserve grade premiership team’ at Mascot Juniors before he passed away
Guzman y Gomez was initially cordoned off and a crime scene was set up, but the business was reopened on Tuesday and operations resumed as usual.
According to Chief Inspector Ben Kennis, the police believe that the ‘two people met and that the attack was somewhat targeted’.
“It’s too early to say whether they had arranged (to meet)… it was clear they knew each other. It wasn’t random in nature,” he said.
Superintendent Kennis did not comment on Mr Filihiahekava’s injuries, but said they were inflicted with a “sharp object”.
“I don’t know if it was a knife… I know it was a sharp object, given the injuries,” he said.
The dead man’s brother was stopped by police as he tried to lift the sheet from the body
A manhunt is underway for those responsible for the fatal stabbing
“I can’t say for sure what weapon was used. There is a large and ongoing crime scene investigation going on today.”
Superintendent Kennis appealed to the public to help identify the attacker who was last seen running along Silver Street in Marrickville.
“I urge anyone with dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage to come forward to police, call Crime Stoppers… or contact detectives at Marrickville Police Station,” he said.