Female Victim Knifed in Birmingham City Bus Shelter Assault Dies
A woman who was stabbed in the neck in an unprovoked attack at a bus stop within Birmingham has passed away, authorities verified.
The deceased woman, aged 34 years, came under attack in Smallbrook Queensway, just outside the Bullring shopping centre, just prior to 9 PM GMT on Friday, West Midlands Police said.
Djeison Rafael, 21, appeared before Birmingham Magistrates Court Monday morning, charged over the attack.
He was previously accused with attempted murder but following the woman's death the charge has been updated to include murder.
Police Response
The force said officers would be around the city centre on Monday to offer reassurance, while detectives assisted the victim's relatives.
Detectives are appealing any eyewitnesses who may have seen Mr Rafael, who is described as British citizen of Black ethnicity, and is believed to have been wearing an all-grey tracksuit, dark headwear, athletic shoes and rucksack.
Incident Location
The knife attack occurred outside Bullring retail complex, across from the main entrance of New Street railway station.
Police said they were treating it as a random violent act with investigators stating efforts continue to determine the motive behind.
Witness Accounts
Shalini Doal, who works nearby, recounted paramedic and police activity when she finished her work period around 10 PM Friday night.
She characterized the location as "quite chaotic", and said co-workers reported hearing a commotion around 9 PM.
"A lot of my colleagues take public transport, ride the tramline... our safety is at risk fundamentally, here in the city centre."
Another individual, 25, resident of Stoke, mentioned visiting to Birmingham quite frequently visiting his partner who lives in the city, and was concerned about what had happened.
"It causes concern about my partner," he stated.
"She doesn't drive and works at major concert locations... considering something completely unprovoked [happened], you know, it's terrible."
