A fatal stabbing outside a Guzman y Gomez in Marrickville in Sydney’s inner west was not a random attack, police said.
A man, aged 32, was stabbed on Marrickville Rd about 7.40pm on Monday, as horrified witnesses and diners watched on.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Manhunt after stabbing in Sydney.
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The man died at the scene after first responders performed CPR in an attempt to save his life.
Acting Superintendent Ben Kennis told reporters detectives “continue to work hard to try and identify the offender”.
“That offender is currently unknown … he was last seen running down Silver St in Marrickville,” he said.
Kennis said the attack was random.
“We believe at this point the two people had met … and the attack was somewhat targeted … it was not random in nature,” he said.
“It was clear that they did know each other.”
The victim was known to police before the fatal attack, Kennis said.
The crime scene was described as “highly emotive” with the attack unfolding in front of families and commuters making their way home, and a crowd gathering after the man’s death.
“A number of family and friends of the victim did converge on the crime scene,” Kennis said.
“It was a highly emotive crime scene at the time… but I can’t say with any certainty how they knew about the incident at the time.
“A male did breach the crime scene and had to be restrained by the police.
“A lot of people were out and about … that’s why I urge witness to come forward.”
Both the victim and the offender are yet to be identified.
The alleged attacker remains on the run.
Speaking to 7NEWS, a number of witnesses described how shocked they were by the incident.
“It makes me so sad because I am from overseas, and I know that this country is so safe, and to be honest I didn’t expect this kind of thing to happen in this country — it makes me feel so sad,” a female witness said.
“It’s terrible, you leave to go out, and you never come home,” a male witness said.
Anyone with information about the matter – or who was in the area at the time and who has dashcam or mobile phone footage – is asked to contact Marrickville Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.