Female Victim Stabbed in Birmingham Bus Stop Assault Dies
A woman stabbed repeatedly in the neck in an unprovoked attack near a bus shelter within Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.
The deceased woman, who was 34, was targeted on Smallbrook Queensway street, just outside the Bullring shopping centre, just prior to 9 PM GMT Friday evening, according to police statements.
Djeison Rafael, 21, appeared before Birmingham Magistrates Court Monday morning, charged over the violent incident.
He was previously accused of attempted murder however after the woman's death the charge has been updated to include murder.
Law Enforcement Actions
Authorities stated police personnel will remain around the city centre on Monday to offer reassurance, and investigators were supporting the woman's family.
Investigators are requesting for witnesses who may have seen the accused, who is described as British citizen of Black ethnicity, reportedly dressed in an all-grey tracksuit, black hat, trainers and rucksack.
Incident Location
The stabbing happened near Bullring retail complex, across from primary access point of New Street railway station.
Police said they were treating it as "unprovoked attack" and Det Insp James Nix said they were working to understand the motive behind.
Eyewitness Reports
An area worker, employed in the vicinity, recounted paramedic and police activity when she finished her shift at about 22:00 on Friday.
She described the scene as "quite chaotic", and said co-workers reported hearing a commotion around 9 PM.
"Many co-workers take public transport, ride the tramline... our security is compromised fundamentally, in the downtown area."
Another individual, twenty-five, resident of Stoke, mentioned visiting the city quite frequently visiting his partner who lives in the city, expressing concern regarding the incident.
"It makes me worried about my partner," he stated.
"She lacks transportation and works at all of the big music venues... considering something completely unprovoked occurred, you know, it's horrible."