Female Victim Knifed in Birmingham City Bus Shelter Assault Succumbs to Injuries
A woman who was stabbed in the neck in an unprovoked attack at a bus stop in Birmingham has died, authorities verified.
The victim, 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 on Monday, facing charges for the attack.
He was previously accused with attempted murder however after the victim's passing charges were upgraded to murder.
Police Response
The force said officers would be in the downtown area on Monday providing public assurance, while detectives assisted the woman's family.
Detectives are appealing any eyewitnesses who might have observed Mr Rafael, identified as British citizen of Black ethnicity, and is believed to have been wearing grey athletic wear, dark headwear, athletic shoes and rucksack.
Incident Location
The stabbing happened near Bullring retail complex, across from the main entrance of New Street railway station.
Police said they classified it as "unprovoked attack" with investigators stating efforts continue to determine the motive behind.
Witness Accounts
An area worker, employed in the vicinity, described the emergency response when she finished her shift at about 22:00 Friday night.
She characterized the location as extremely disorderly, and said co-workers reported hearing loud disturbances around 9 PM.
"Many my colleagues use transit services, ride the tramline... our security is compromised fundamentally, here in the city centre."
Ashley Birks, twenty-five, resident of Stoke, mentioned visiting the city quite frequently visiting his partner who lives in the city, and was concerned regarding the incident.
"It causes concern for my girlfriend," he stated.
"She doesn't drive and works at all of the big music venues... considering a totally random act occurred, understandably, it's horrible."
