Man charged with murder after allegedly stabbing rugby league player in Sydney’s Marrickville
A man will face court over the alleged stabbing death of another man on a busy Sydney street.
The 31-year-old was arrested at Concord in the city’s inner-west on Wednesday afternoon and is due to face Burwood local court charged with murder on Thursday.
Sitaleki Filihiahekava, 32, died at the scene about 7.30pm on Monday night after allegedly being stabbed outside a restaurant on Marrickville Road.
Police canvassed CCTV footage from the suburban strip as they searched for his alleged attacker. Some restaurants had to cease trading for the night.
Filihiahekava was believed to have been dining at one himself before leaving, briefly meeting up with another man before he was allegedly stabbed dead, police said.
Family and friends converged on the scene not long after the alleged attack.
“It was a highly emotive crime scene,” Acting Supt Ben Kennis told reporters.
Cards attached to flowers left at the scene on Tuesday morning paid tribute to “Big Leki”. “Rest in peace my brother,” read one.
Kennis said investigators believed the alleged attack was “somewhat targeted”.
Mascot Juniors rugby league club paid tribute the former player.
“Leki was a much loved player of our club who played with his heart on his sleeve (and always with a joke and a smile), every time he took the field with those he called his brothers,” the club said on social media.
