A man is to appear in court over the alleged stabbing death of another man on a busy city street.
The 31-year-old man was arrested in Concord, in Sydney’s central west, on Wednesday afternoon and is due to face Burwood Local Court charged with murder on Thursday.
Sitaleki Filihiahekava, 32, died at the scene on Monday night after being stabbed outside a restaurant on Marrickville Road.
Police reviewed CCTV footage from the suburban area as they searched for the suspected attacker.
Some restaurants had to close their doors after the stabbing, which occurred at around 7.30pm.
Police believe the stabbing was a targeted attack and are investigating possible links to organised crime.
Filihiahekava is believed to have been dining at one of them before leaving and briefly met another man before he was allegedly stabbed to death, police said.
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.
Filihiahekava was an associate of Dejan “Danny” Radulovic, who was murdered in Balmain in July last year after being severely beaten and stabbed.
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 on the same street where Mr 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.”
Police restrained the brother and pulled out a Taser on him, but did not use it.
“It was a very emotional crime scene,” Acting Superintendent Ben Kennis told reporters.
Sitaleki Filihiahekava (pictured centre) was a popular player for Mascot Juniors, a semi-professional rugby team based in Mascot, south of Sydney.
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.
Mascot Juniors rugby club paid tribute to the former player following his death.
“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 pitch with those he called his brothers,” the club said on social media.
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.