Woman Knifed in Birmingham Bus Shelter Attack Dies
A woman stabbed repeatedly to her neck area in an unprovoked attack at a bus stop in Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.
The victim, aged 34 years, was targeted on Smallbrook Queensway street, right beside the Bullring shopping centre, shortly before 9 PM GMT on Friday, West Midlands Police said.
Djeison Rafael, twenty-one, was presented at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday, charged over the violent incident.
He was previously accused with attempted murder however after the victim's passing the charge has been updated to murder.
Police Response
The force said officers would be around the city centre through Monday providing public assurance, and investigators were supporting the victim's relatives.
Investigators are requesting any eyewitnesses who may have seen Mr Rafael, identified as British citizen of Black ethnicity, reportedly dressed in an all-grey tracksuit, dark headwear, athletic shoes and rucksack.
Incident Location
The knife attack occurred outside the Bullring shopping centre, across from the main entrance to Birmingham New Street station.
Law enforcement confirmed they were treating it as "unprovoked attack" and Det Insp James Nix said they were working to understand why it happened.
Eyewitness Reports
Shalini Doal, who works nearby, described paramedic and police activity after completing her shift at about 22:00 on Friday.
She described the scene as "quite chaotic", adding that some of her colleagues heard loud disturbances at about 21:00.
"A lot of my colleagues take public transport, ride the tramline... our security is compromised fundamentally, in the downtown area."
Ashley Birks, 25, resident of Stoke, said he came the city fairly regularly 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... and to think a totally random act occurred, you know, it's terrible."
