Alleged killer ‘Snoee Badman’ was embroiled in a bitter feud with a fellow rapper before allegedly stabbing a rugby league player to death.
Jacob Tammer-Spence, 30, allegedly murdered Sitaleki ‘Leki’ Filihiahekava, 32, outside a Guzman and Gomez store in Marrickville, in Sydney’s central west, at about 7.40pm on Monday while the footballer was having dinner 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 had been in a long-running rap battle against Michael Sofilas, aka Nter.
In May last year, Badman released a song called ‘Eye for an Eye’, where he referenced their feud and highlighted the fact that Nter’s mother died of a heroin overdose.
Two weeks later, Nter responded with a song titled ‘Snoe Fall’, in which he made homophobic slurs and described his rival as a ‘fake gangster’.
Nter was among many people who paid tribute to Filihiahekava online after his death, sharing a photo of the footballer walking near a swimming pool and dancing.
“This world is too cruel, man,” Nter wrote.
Jacob Tammer-Spence, known by the rap name Snoee Badman, has been charged with murder.
Pictured: Michael Sofilas, also known as Nter
‘Another authentic one who left.’
Filihiahekava is believed to have been having dinner before leaving and briefly met another man before the alleged stabbing, police said.
Police believe the alleged stabbing was a targeted attack and are investigating possible links to organised crime.
On Wednesday it was revealed that Filihiahekava was an associate of Dejan “Danny” Radulovic, who was beaten and stabbed to death in Balmain in July last year.
Radulovic was on parole for drug trafficking at the time, and police suspect the attack stemmed from a drug-related dispute.
Filihiahekava was also friends with William Siale, who along with his brother Eric, were shot while sitting in a barbershop in July last year.
The Siale brothers survived the shooting that occurred on the same street where Filihiahekava was killed on Monday.
Police and distraught relatives rushed to his aid and administered first aid, but despite their efforts, they were unable to save Mr Filihiahekava.
Witnesses heard the “heartbreaking” screams of the man’s mother, while his brother arrived at the scene and tried to lift the sheet covering the body.
Police restrained the distraught man who was heard shouting: “That’s my fucking brother, don’t touch me.”
“It was a very emotional crime scene,” Acting Superintendent Ben Kennis told reporters.
Snoee Badman is due to appear in court on Thursday
Nter appears in the video for his song ‘Snoe Fall’
‘A man broke into the crime scene and had to be restrained by police.’
Other distraught relatives were heard crying as police searched the surrounding scene with flashlights for evidence and interviewed nearby shopkeepers.
Mr Filihiahekava’s relatives were taken away by police before the scene was cordoned off.
Superintendent Kennis said police allege “two people knew each other and the attack was somewhat targeted”.
“It wasn’t a coincidence,” he said. “It’s too early to say if they had planned it… it was clear they knew each other.”
Superintendent Kennis would 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 know it was a sharp instrument because of the wounds. I can’t say for sure what weapon was used,” he said.
Bouquets of flowers, handwritten notes and a lit candle were left outside the Mexican restaurant Tuesday morning as Filihiahekava’s loved ones struggle to come to terms with their loss.
Rest in peace, my brother, one said.
Sitaleki Filihiahekava (pictured centre) was a popular player for Mascot Juniors, a semi-professional rugby team based in Mascot, south of Sydney.
Flowers and cards were left outside the restaurant where Mr Filihiahekava was killed, while a vigil was held the following evening.
Many were seen crying and comforting each other as they stood at the same spot where Mr Filihiahekava died.
Rugby club Mascot Juniors shared a touching tribute on social media to the rugby player following his death.
Mascot Juniors football club chairman Frank Cookson described Mr Filihiahekava as a “loved and respected” member of the Reserve A top flight team.
‘Leki was a much-loved player at our club who played with his heart on his sleeve (and always with a joke and a smile) every time he stepped onto 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. Rest in peace, Leki. Your cheerful and friendly personality will be greatly missed.”