Marrickville stabbing: Man charged with murder after Sitaleki ‘Leki’ Filihiahekava fatally stabbed in Sydney

Police have charged a man with murder over a stabbing on a busy suburban street in Sydney’s Inner West that killed a well known local rugby league player earlier this week.

Sitaleki “Leki” Filihiahekava died after being stabbed outside a Guzman y Gomez store on Marrickville Road, Marrickville, around 7.40pm on Monday.

Despite the efforts of NSW paramedics, the 32-year-old died at the scene.

Police initially struggled to identify a person who was spotted on CCTV fleeing down a nearby street after the attack.

NSW Police said following an investigation led by Strike force Nogales, with assistance from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, a 31-year-old man was arrested at Concord about 5.40pm Wednesday.

He was taken to Burwood Police Station where he was charged with murder.

The accused has been refused bail to appear before Burwood Local Court on Thursday.

Chilling details of the attack later emerged, with a Marrickville local writing online they saw “blood everywhere” after the attack took place.

Mr Filihiahekava was dining with several others at one of the restaurants before the brutal attack unfolded.

Family members of the victim were also spotted at the scene after the scuffle broke out. With one man heard screaming, “He’s my f***ing brother, don’t touch me,” the Daily Telegraph reported.

Police shut down the major inner-city road for hours as forensic tests were conducted.

Flowers and heartfelt messages have since been left outside the restaurant for Mr Filihiahekava.

“Going to miss soo much lad,” one tribute said.

“Forever grateful for all those nights when I was sleeping on Jordan’s couch and thought I had nothing left but you showed me how much I had to live for,” another read.

Mr Filihiahekava had played in a premiership at the Mascot Juniors Rugby League club a fortnight before the attack.

“’Leki’ was a well liked and respected integral member of our A reserve grade premiership team two weeks ago where he performed admirably,” club president Frank Cookson wrote on social media.

“RIP Leki your happy, friendly personality will be greatly missed.”

Speaking the morning after the incident, NSW Police acting Superintendent Ben Kennis said the attack was not random and the community should not be worried.

“It was not a random attack on Marrickville Road, the community can be assured of that,” he said.

Mr Filihiahekava is an associate of slain gangland figure Danny Radulovic and a friend of the brothers who were shot at a barber shop just metres from where the 32-year-old was killed, according to 7NEWS.

As investigations continue, anyone with information about the matter – or who were in the area at the time with any available dashcam/mobile phone footage – are asked to contact Marrickville Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

With AAP.