The man accused of fatally shooting a solicitor at a cafe in Sydney's west last month has been refused bail.
Arthur Kelekolio, 38, was arrested at Sydney International Airport yesterday morning as he allegedly tried to board a flight to Bali with a one-way ticket.
He is accused of shooting 65-year-old Ho Ledinh several times at close range in broad daylight while he was sitting at the Happy Cup Cafe in Bankstown on the afternoon of January 23.
The father of five and prominent lawyer in the Vietnamese community died at the scene.
Mr Kelekolio was represented in Sydney's Central Local Court by solicitor Adam Houda who said his client did not wish to apply for bail.
Magistrate Les Mabbutt formally refused bail and adjourned the matter until April.
The ABC understands NSW Police had Mr Kelekolio under surveillance and were forced to arrest him earlier than planned after his passport triggered an alert at the airport.
He was questioned at Mascot Police Station for most of yesterday before being charged last night.
Detectives also raided an address Hammondville where they seized several items relevant to the investigation.
