Female Victim Stabbed in Birmingham Bus Stop Attack Dies
A woman stabbed repeatedly to her neck area in an unprovoked attack near a bus shelter within Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.
The deceased woman, who was 34, came under attack in Smallbrook Queensway, just outside Bullring shopping complex, just prior to 21:00 GMT on Friday, 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 but following the victim's passing the charge has been updated to murder.
Law Enforcement Actions
The force said police personnel will remain around the city centre through Monday to offer reassurance, and investigators were supporting the woman's family.
Investigators are requesting any eyewitnesses who might have observed the accused, identified as British citizen of Black ethnicity, and is believed to have been wearing an all-grey tracksuit, black hat, trainers with a backpack.
Incident Location
The knife attack occurred outside Bullring retail complex, across from the main entrance to Birmingham New Street station.
Police said they were treating it as a random violent act with investigators stating efforts continue to determine why it happened.
Witness Accounts
An area worker, who works nearby, recounted paramedic and police activity after completing her work period at about 22:00 Friday night.
She described the scene as "quite chaotic", and said some of her colleagues heard loud disturbances at about 21:00.
"Many my colleagues take public transport, take the tram... our security is compromised fundamentally, here in the city centre."
Another individual, 25, resident of Stoke, said he came the city quite frequently visiting his partner resident there, expressing concern about what had happened.
"It makes me worried for my girlfriend," he stated.
"She doesn't drive employed at major concert locations... considering a totally random act [happened], understandably, it's terrible."
