A man has been arrested after a popular rugby league player was allegedly stabbed to death outside a Mexican restaurant.
Sitaleki ‘Leki’ Filihiahekava, 32, was fatally stabbed outside the Guzman and Gomez store in Marrickville, in Sydney’s inner west, at about 7.40pm on Monday after having dinner with his family.
NSW Police arrested a 31-year-old man in Concord at around 5.40pm on Wednesday following enquiries.
“He has been arrested and is assisting police with enquiries,” police said in a statement.
No charges have yet been filed.
Investigations into the incident are continuing.
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 murdered in Balmain in July last year after being brutally beaten and stabbed.
Radulovic was on parole for drug trafficking at the time, and police suspect the attack stemmed from a drug-related dispute.
A man has been arrested after popular rugby league player Sitaleki ‘Leki’ Filihiahekava, 32 (pictured), was allegedly stabbed to death outside the Guzman and Gomez store in Marrickville shortly before 8pm on Monday.
Mr Filihiahekava was also friends with William Siale, who along with his brother Eric, was shot while sitting in a barbershop in July last year.
The Siale brothers survived the shooting on the same street where Mr Filihiahekava was killed on Monday.
This comes as the 32-year-old’s killer remains in hiding and a vigil was held in his memory outside Guzman and Gomez on Tuesday night.
Loved ones gathered outside the fast-food restaurant, where bouquets of flowers and handwritten cards had been left early in the morning.
Filihiahekava and his attacker are understood to have met outside the restaurant before he was stabbed. He had just enjoyed a meal with his family before the fatal attack.
Mr Filihiahekava was an associate of Dejan ‘Danny’ Radulovic (pictured), who was murdered in Balmain in July last year after being severely beaten and stabbed.
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.”
Police restrained the brother and pulled out a Taser on him, but did not use it.
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.
Sitaleki Filihiahekava (pictured centre) was a popular player for Mascot Juniors, a semi-professional rugby team based in Mascot, south of Sydney.
The heartbroken loved ones of a young man stabbed outside a popular Mexican restaurant returned to the scene of the shocking crime to leave flowers and pay their respects.
Loved ones left flowers and cards outside the restaurant where Mr Filihiahekava was killed throughout the day on Monday and a vigil was held on Tuesday night.
Many were seen crying and comforting each other as they stood at the same spot where their companion lost his life.
Mascot Juniors football club chairman Frank Cookson said Mr Filihiahekava would be greatly missed.
“It is with deep regret that we inform you of the passing away of one of our club’s players, Sitaleki Filihiahekava, last night in terrible circumstances,” he wrote.
‘Leki was a much-loved and respected integral member of our reserve A Grade Premier Division team two weeks ago, where he performed admirably.
‘To the extended Filihiahekava family and to the multitude of friends of Leki we express our deepest condolences.
‘RIP Leki, your cheerful and friendly personality will be greatly missed.’
Friends remained outside the restaurant for several hours Tuesday after the fatal stabbing.
Filihiahekava (pictured left) was a “much-loved and respected member of the reserve A-grade premiership team” at Mascot Juniors before his death.
Mourners comforted each other outside the restaurant on Tuesday morning (pictured) as devastated friends and family came to terms with Mr Filihiahekava’s death.
Guzmán y Gómez was initially cordoned off with a large crime scene prepared, but it reopened on Tuesday and activities resumed as normal.
Superintendent Ben Kennis said police believe “two people knew each other and the attack was somewhat targeted”.
“It’s too early to say whether they had agreed to meet… it was clear that they knew each other. It wasn’t a coincidence,” he said.
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 given the wounds,” he said.
The dead man’s brother was restrained by police as he tried to lift the sheet from the body.
A search is underway for those responsible for the fatal stabbing.
“I cannot say for certain what weapon was used. A large and continuous crime scene is being examined today.”
Superintendent Kennis is appealing for help from the public in identifying 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 or call Crime Stoppers… or contact detectives at Marrickville Police Station,” he said.