Female Victim Knifed in Birmingham Bus Shelter Assault Dies
A woman stabbed repeatedly in the neck in an unprovoked attack near a bus shelter in Birmingham has passed away, police have confirmed.
The deceased woman, aged 34 years, came under attack in Smallbrook Queensway, just outside the Bullring shopping centre, just prior to 9 PM GMT on Friday, West Midlands Police said.
Djeison Rafael, 21, appeared before Birmingham court on Monday, charged over the attack.
Originally charged with attempted murder however after the woman's death the charge has been updated to murder.
Police Response
The force said officers would be in the downtown area on Monday to offer reassurance, and investigators were supporting the victim's relatives.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses who might have observed Mr Rafael, identified as British citizen of Black ethnicity, and is believed to have been wearing an all-grey tracksuit, dark headwear, athletic shoes with a backpack.
Attack Site Details
The stabbing happened outside the Bullring shopping centre, across from primary access point of New Street railway station.
Police said they classified it as "unprovoked attack" and Det Insp James Nix said efforts continue to determine the motive behind.
Eyewitness Reports
Shalini Doal, who works nearby, recounted paramedic and police activity after completing her shift at about 22:00 Friday night.
She characterized the location as extremely disorderly, adding that some of her colleagues heard a commotion around 9 PM.
"A lot of co-workers use transit services, take the tram... our security is compromised essentially, in the downtown area."
Ashley Birks, twenty-five, resident of Stoke, said he came to Birmingham fairly regularly visiting his partner who lives in the city, expressing concern about what had happened.
"It causes concern about my partner," he said.
"She lacks transportation and works at all of the big music venues... considering a totally random act [happened], understandably, it's horrible."
