Female Victim Stabbed in Birmingham Bus Stop Assault Succumbs to Injuries
The female victim who was stabbed in the neck in an unprovoked attack near a bus shelter in Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.
The deceased woman, aged 34 years, was targeted on Smallbrook Queensway street, just outside the Bullring shopping centre, shortly before 21:00 GMT Friday evening, West Midlands Police said.
Djeison Rafael, 21, appeared before Birmingham court Monday morning, charged over the violent incident.
Originally charged with attempted murder but following the woman's death the charge has been updated to include murder.
Police Response
Authorities stated police personnel will remain in the downtown area on Monday providing public assurance, while detectives assisted the woman's family.
Investigators are requesting any eyewitnesses who may have seen Mr Rafael, who is described as British citizen of Black ethnicity, and is believed to have been wearing grey athletic wear, dark headwear, trainers with a backpack.
Attack Site Details
The knife attack occurred near Bullring retail complex, across from the main entrance of New Street railway station.
Police said they were treating it as a random violent act and Det Insp James Nix said efforts continue to determine the motive behind.
Witness Accounts
An area worker, employed in the vicinity, described paramedic and police activity when she finished her work period around 10 PM Friday night.
She characterized the location as extremely disorderly, adding that some of her colleagues heard a commotion at about 21:00.
"A lot of co-workers take public transport, take the tram... our security is compromised fundamentally, here in the city centre."
Ashley Birks, twenty-five, from Stoke-on-Trent, said he came to Birmingham quite frequently to see his girlfriend who lives in the city, expressing concern regarding the incident.
"It causes concern about my partner," he stated.
"She doesn't drive and works at major concert locations... and to think something completely unprovoked [happened], you know, it's horrible."
