Woman Knifed in Birmingham Bus Shelter Attack Succumbs to Injuries
The female victim who was stabbed to her neck area in an unprovoked attack near a bus shelter in Birmingham has passed away, police have confirmed.
The victim, who was 34, 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, twenty-one, appeared before Birmingham court Monday morning, charged over the violent incident.
He was previously accused with attempted murder however after the victim's passing the charge has been updated to include 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.
Detectives are appealing any eyewitnesses who may have seen Mr Rafael, identified as British citizen of Black ethnicity, reportedly dressed in an all-grey tracksuit, dark headwear, trainers with a backpack.
Attack Site Details
The knife attack occurred outside the Bullring shopping centre, opposite primary access point to Birmingham New Street station.
Police said they were treating it as "unprovoked attack" and Det Insp James Nix said efforts continue to determine why it happened.
Eyewitness Reports
An area worker, employed in the vicinity, described the emergency response when she finished her work period at about 22:00 Friday night.
She characterized the location as extremely disorderly, adding that some of her colleagues heard loud disturbances around 9 PM.
"A lot of my colleagues take public transport, ride the tramline... our security is compromised essentially, in the downtown area."
Another individual, twenty-five, resident of Stoke, mentioned visiting to Birmingham quite frequently visiting his partner who lives in the city, and was concerned about what had happened.
"It makes me worried for my girlfriend," he said.
"She doesn't drive and works at all of the big music venues... considering a totally random act occurred, you know, it's horrible."
