Female Victim Stabbed in Birmingham Bus Stop Attack Dies
A woman who was stabbed in the neck in an unprovoked attack near a bus shelter within Birmingham has passed away, police have confirmed.
The victim, aged 34 years, was targeted on Smallbrook Queensway street, right beside the Bullring shopping centre, just prior to 9 PM GMT Friday evening, West Midlands Police said.
Djeison Rafael, 21, was presented at Birmingham Magistrates Court Monday morning, charged over the attack.
He was previously accused with attempted murder however after the woman's death 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.
Investigators are requesting for witnesses who may have seen Mr Rafael, identified as a Black British national, reportedly dressed in an all-grey tracksuit, black hat, athletic shoes and rucksack.
Attack Site Details
The stabbing happened 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" and Det Insp James Nix said they were working to understand why it happened.
Witness Accounts
Shalini Doal, employed in the vicinity, recounted the emergency response after completing her work period at about 22:00 on Friday.
She described the scene as "quite chaotic", and said co-workers reported hearing loud disturbances at about 21:00.
"Many co-workers take public transport, take the tram... our security is compromised fundamentally, here in the city centre."
Ashley Birks, twenty-five, resident of Stoke, said he came the city fairly regularly to see his girlfriend resident there, and was concerned about what had happened.
"It makes me worried about my partner," he said.
"She lacks transportation and works at all of the big music venues... considering a totally random act occurred, understandably, it's horrible."
