Snoee Badman charged with murder after alleged stabbing death of league player in Marrickville

A well-known Sydney drill rapper is due to appear in court over the alleged stabbing death of a popular rugby player on a Sydney street near a fast food restaurant.

Jacob Tammer-Spence, who goes by the rap name Snoee Badman, was arrested in Concord in Sydney’s west on Wednesday afternoon and is due to appear in Burwood District Court on Thursday charged with murder.

Sitaleki ‘Leki’ Filihiahekava, 32, was allegedly fatally stabbed outside a Guzman y Gomez store on Marrickville Road in Marrickville, on Monday evening at around 7.40pm after having dinner with his family.

Police have been reviewing CCTV footage of the road as they search for his alleged attacker, with some restaurants forced to close trading for the night.

Police believe the alleged stabbing was a targeted attack and are investigating possible links to organised crime.

According to police, Filihiahekava was said to have been eating before she left and briefly met another man just before she was stabbed.

Earlier on Wednesday it was revealed that Mr Filihiahekava was an accomplice of Dejan ‘Danny’ Radulovic, who was beaten and stabbed in Balmain in July last year.

Radulovic was under court supervision for drug trafficking at the time and police suspect the attack was the result of a drug-related dispute.

Snoee Badman is due to appear in court on Thursday

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.

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 shouted, “He’s my fucking brother, don’t touch me.”

“It was a very emotional crime scene,” Acting Chief Inspector Ben Kennis told reporters.

‘A man entered the crime scene and had to be subdued by police.’

Other family members were in shock and heard crying as police used flashlights to search the area for evidence and question nearby shopkeepers.

Mr Filihiahekava’s relatives were transferred by police before the crime scene was cordoned off.

Sitaleki ‘Leki’ Filihiahekava, 32 (pictured) was allegedly stabbed to death outside a Guzman y Gomez store in central Sydney

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.

Chief Inspector Kennis explained that police believe ‘the two people met and the attack was somewhat targeted’.

“It wasn’t random in nature,” he claimed. “It’s too early to say whether they arranged it … it was clear they knew each other.”

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 instrument based on the injuries. I can’t say for sure what weapon was used,” he said.

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.

“Rest in peace, my brother,” read one of the letters.

Many stood at the spot where Mr. Filihiahekava died, crying and offering comfort.

Heartbroken relatives returned to the scene of the shocking crime to leave flowers and pay their respects

Flowers and cards were left outside the restaurant where Mr Filihiahekava was murdered, while a vigil was held the following night

Rugby club Mascot Juniors posted a moving tribute to the rugby player on social media following his passing.

Frank Cookson, chairman of the Mascot Juniors football club, described Mr Filihiahekava as a “much loved and respected” member of the A Reserve grade top team.

“Leki was a beloved player of our club who always played with his heart on his sleeve (and always with a joke and a smile), every time he took to the field with those he called his brothers,” he wrote.

“To the extended Filihiahekava family and Leki’s large group of friends, we extend our deepest condolences. RIP Leki, your cheerful, kind personality will be greatly missed.”