Police have released new details about a fatal stabbing at a busy Mexican restaurant in Sydney, saying the attack was ‘targeted’ as the hunt for the killer continues.
Emergency services rushed to Marrickville Road in the city’s west at 7.40pm on Monday evening after a man was attacked with a knife outside the Guzman Y Gomez building.
Police and ambulance arrived on the scene and found a 32-year-old man with stab wounds and unconscious on the ground outside the restaurant.
The man was resuscitated, but he could not be revived. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Chief Inspector Ben Kennis confirmed at a press conference on Tuesday that the victim, who was ‘known to the police’, was in the restaurant with a number of people before the stabbing.
He added that police believe “the two people met and the attack was somewhat targeted.”
“It wasn’t random in nature,” he said. “It’s too early to say whether they arranged it … it was clear they knew each other.”
Family members and friends rushed to the scene of the disaster, wanting to see the man covered in a white sheet.
A man was fatally stabbed outside Guzman Y Gomez in Marrickville, central Sydney
The dead man’s brother was stopped by police as he tried to lift the sheet from the body
The distraught man was heard screaming ‘he’s my brother’
Chief Inspector Kennis said it was “too early” to explain how the man’s family could have arrived at the scene so quickly.
“A number of family members and friends gathered at the scene. It was a very emotional scene at the time,” he said.
Witnesses heard the man’s mother’s “heart-wrenching” screams as his brother quickly lifted the sheet covering the body.
Police stopped the distraught man who shouted, “He’s my fucking brother, don’t touch me.”
The brother was overpowered by police and a taser was drawn, but not used.
“A man entered the crime scene and had to be subdued by police,” said Chief Inspector Kennis.
Other family members of the victim were panicked and heard crying as police used flashlights to search the area for evidence and question nearby shopkeepers.
The relatives of the deceased were taken to hospital by the police, after which the crime scene was cordoned off.
Chief Inspector Kennis would not comment on the man’s injuries, but said they were inflicted with a “sharp object.”
“I don’t know if it was a knife… I know it was a sharp object, given the injuries,” he said.
“I can’t say for sure what weapon was used. There is a large and ongoing crime scene investigation going on today.”
A witness, named Karen, who was shopping at the nearby Woolworths, said she saw emergency workers and police trying to revive the man, but he was ‘dead’ after five minutes.
“It makes me so sad because I come from abroad and I know this country is so safe,” Karen said.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect this kind of thing to happen in this country. It makes me sad, and sad for the guy.”
Marrickville Road was closed in both directions at the intersection of Illawarra Road and Garners Avenue
Surrounding streets were also closed off while police set up a crime scene.
The streets are expected to remain closed for some time and motorists are advised to avoid the area.
Locals expressed their shock at the horrific crime that took place in their neighborhood.
“Blood everywhere,” someone wrote.
“I saw police cars coming everywhere,” said another.
Police have set up Strike Force Nogales, with the assistance of detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.
Superintendent Kennis appealed to the public to help identify the ‘unknown’ attacker who was last seen ‘running’ along Silver Street in Marrickville.
“I would urge anyone with dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage to come forward to police, call Crime Stoppers … or contact detectives at Marrickville Police Station,” Chief Inspector Kennis said.
Chief Inspector Kennis said it was still ‘very early’ in the investigation and did not want to comment on the footage captured by CCTV cameras.
“There’s still a lot of CCTV to be captured and reviewed, so that’s ongoing at the moment,” he said.
“The witnesses and the CCTV we have collected point to a person who we believe can assist our investigation.”
He said officers were combing the area and speaking to neighbors to identify the perpetrator.
Police have set up a crime scene and closed off several streets in the city centre
A manhunt is underway for those responsible for the fatal stabbing
A witness, named Karen (pictured), said she was shocked by the violence as Australia is known as a ‘safe country’.
Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the stabbing and are hunting for those responsible. No arrests have been made yet.
Anyone with information or who was in the area at the time and has dashcam or mobile phone footage is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
