Woman Stabbed in Birmingham Bus Shelter Assault Succumbs to Injuries
The female victim who was stabbed in the neck during a random assault at a bus stop in Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.
The deceased woman, aged 34 years, came under attack in Smallbrook Queensway, right beside Bullring shopping complex, just prior to 9 PM GMT Friday evening, West Midlands Police said.
Djeison Rafael, 21, appeared before Birmingham court on Monday, charged over the attack.
He was previously accused of attempted murder but following the woman's death the charge has been updated to include murder.
Police Response
Authorities stated officers would be around the city centre through Monday providing public assurance, and investigators were supporting the woman's family.
Detectives are appealing any eyewitnesses who might have observed Mr Rafael, identified as British citizen of Black ethnicity, and is believed to have been wearing grey athletic wear, dark headwear, athletic shoes and rucksack.
Incident Location
The stabbing happened outside Bullring retail complex, 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.
Witness Accounts
An area worker, who works nearby, described the emergency response when she finished her work period at about 22:00 Friday night.
She described the scene as "quite chaotic", adding that some of her colleagues heard loud disturbances at about 21:00.
"A lot of co-workers use transit services, take the tram... our safety is at risk fundamentally, here in the city centre."
Another individual, twenty-five, from Stoke-on-Trent, said he came to Birmingham fairly regularly visiting his partner resident there, expressing concern regarding the incident.
"It causes concern about my partner," he stated.
"She doesn't drive employed at major concert locations... considering a totally random act [happened], you know, it's terrible."
