Woman Stabbed in Birmingham City 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 victim, who was 34, was targeted on Smallbrook Queensway street, right beside the Bullring shopping centre, just prior to 21:00 GMT Friday evening, West Midlands Police said.
Djeison Rafael, 21, appeared before Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday, charged over the violent incident.
Originally charged with attempted murder but following the victim's passing charges were upgraded to include murder.
Police Response
Authorities stated police personnel will remain around the city centre through Monday providing public assurance, and investigators were supporting the woman's family.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the accused, 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 knife attack occurred near the Bullring shopping centre, across from primary access point to Birmingham New Street station.
Police said they classified it as a random violent act with investigators stating efforts continue to determine why it happened.
Witness Accounts
Shalini Doal, who works nearby, described the emergency response after completing her shift at about 22:00 Friday night.
She characterized the location as extremely disorderly, adding that some of her colleagues heard loud disturbances at about 21:00.
"Many my colleagues take public transport, ride the tramline... our security is compromised essentially, here in the city centre."
Ashley Birks, 25, from Stoke-on-Trent, mentioned visiting the city quite frequently to see his girlfriend who lives in the city, and was concerned about what had happened.
"It causes concern about my partner," he said.
"She lacks transportation employed at all of the big music venues... considering a totally random act occurred, you know, it's horrible."
