Female Victim Knifed in Birmingham City Bus Stop Attack Succumbs to Injuries
A woman who was stabbed to her neck area during a random assault at a bus stop within Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.
The victim, who was 34, was targeted in Smallbrook Queensway, just outside the Bullring shopping centre, just prior to 9 PM GMT Friday evening, according to police statements.
Djeison Rafael, 21, appeared before Birmingham court Monday morning, facing charges for the attack.
Originally charged of attempted murder however after the woman's death the charge has been updated to include murder.
Law Enforcement Actions
The force said officers would be around the city centre through Monday providing public assurance, while detectives assisted the victim's relatives.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses who might have observed Mr Rafael, who is described as British citizen of Black ethnicity, reportedly dressed in an all-grey tracksuit, dark headwear, athletic shoes with a backpack.
Incident Location
The knife attack occurred near Bullring retail complex, opposite primary access point of New Street railway station.
Police said they classified it as a random violent act with investigators stating they were working to understand the motive behind.
Eyewitness Reports
An area worker, who works nearby, described the emergency response after completing her shift around 10 PM on Friday.
She described the scene as "quite chaotic", adding that some of her colleagues heard a commotion around 9 PM.
"Many co-workers use transit services, take the tram... our security is compromised fundamentally, here in the city centre."
Another individual, 25, resident of Stoke, said he came to Birmingham fairly regularly to see his girlfriend who lives in the city, expressing concern about what had happened.
"It causes concern for my girlfriend," he stated.
"She doesn't drive employed at major concert locations... and to think something completely unprovoked occurred, understandably, it's terrible."
