Woman Stabbed in Birmingham Bus Stop Attack Dies
The female victim who was stabbed in the neck in an unprovoked attack near a bus shelter within Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.
The deceased woman, aged 34 years, was targeted in Smallbrook Queensway, right beside Bullring shopping complex, just prior to 21:00 GMT on Friday, West Midlands Police said.
Djeison Rafael, twenty-one, was presented at Birmingham court Monday morning, charged over the violent incident.
He was previously accused of attempted murder however after the victim's passing charges were upgraded to include murder.
Law Enforcement Actions
Authorities stated officers would be around the city centre on Monday providing public assurance, and investigators were supporting the woman's family.
Investigators are requesting any eyewitnesses who might have observed the accused, who is described as British citizen of Black ethnicity, reportedly dressed in an all-grey tracksuit, dark headwear, athletic shoes with a backpack.
Attack Site Details
The knife attack occurred near the Bullring shopping centre, across from primary access point of New Street railway station.
Law enforcement confirmed they were treating it as "unprovoked attack" with investigators stating they were working to understand why it happened.
Eyewitness Reports
An area worker, employed in the vicinity, described the emergency response after completing her shift around 10 PM on Friday.
She described the scene as "quite chaotic", and said some of her colleagues heard a commotion at about 21:00.
"A lot of co-workers take public transport, take the tram... our safety is at risk fundamentally, in the downtown area."
Another individual, 25, resident of Stoke, said he came to Birmingham fairly regularly visiting his partner resident there, and was concerned regarding the incident.
"It makes me worried for my girlfriend," he said.
"She doesn't drive employed at all of the big music venues... and to think a totally random act [happened], you know, it's terrible."
