NSW police have arrested a man after the fatal alleged stabbing of a rugby league player in Sydney’s inner west on Monday.
Sitaleki Filihiahekava, 32, was stabbed on Marrickville Road at about 7.40pm on Monday night, outside Guzman y Gomez.
Police said he had been having dinner at the Mexican restaurant shortly before the alleged “targeted” incident.
Related: Fatal stabbing in Sydney’s Marrickville followed by ‘emotive’ confrontation between victim’s family and police
Officers from Inner West police area command and NSW Ambulance paramedics performed CPR on Filihiahekava but he died at the scene.
At about 5.40pm on Wednesday, after a manhunt, officers arrested a 31-year-old man in Concord.
He has been taken into custody and was assisting police with inquiries.
Acting Supt Ben Kennis said Filihiahekava – who played for Mascot Junior rugby league club – was allegedly stabbed with a “sharp instrument” and that the alleged offender was last seen running down Silver Street.
Members of Filihiahekava’s family were soon on the scene, with one being one being restrained after allegedly “breaching” the crime scene. A Taser was drawn but not deployed.
“A number of family and friends did converge on the [alleged] crime scene. It was a highly emotive [alleged] crime scene,” Kennis said.
He said the alleged stabbing had occurred during “peak dinner time” on the busy suburban street.
“Lots of restaurants, lots of businesses, licensed premises in the area … To have this happen on Marrickville Road or anywhere is unacceptable,” Kennis said.
Police analysed a large amount of CCTV footage from the local area of the incident, with anyone with dashcam footage urged to contact police.
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