Female Victim Stabbed in Birmingham 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, authorities verified.
The victim, aged 34 years, was targeted on Smallbrook Queensway street, right beside Bullring shopping complex, shortly before 9 PM GMT Friday evening, according to police statements.
Djeison Rafael, twenty-one, appeared before Birmingham court on Monday, charged over the violent incident.
He was previously accused of attempted murder however after the victim's passing the charge has been updated to include murder.
Police Response
Authorities stated officers would be in the downtown area through Monday providing public assurance, while detectives assisted the woman's family.
Investigators are requesting for witnesses who may have seen Mr Rafael, who is described as a Black British national, 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 were treating it as a random violent act and Det Insp James Nix said efforts continue to determine why it happened.
Witness Accounts
Shalini Doal, employed in the vicinity, recounted paramedic and police activity when she finished her shift at about 22:00 Friday night.
She characterized the location as extremely disorderly, and said some of her colleagues heard a commotion around 9 PM.
"Many my colleagues take public transport, ride the tramline... our security is compromised fundamentally, here in the city centre."
Another individual, twenty-five, from Stoke-on-Trent, said he came the city fairly regularly to see his girlfriend resident there, and was concerned about what had happened.
"It makes me worried about my partner," he said.
"She doesn't drive employed at major concert locations... and to think a totally random act occurred, understandably, it's terrible."
