Female Victim Knifed in Birmingham Bus Shelter Attack Dies
The female victim who was stabbed in the neck in an unprovoked attack at a bus stop within Birmingham has died, authorities verified.
The victim, aged 34 years, came under attack on Smallbrook Queensway street, right beside Bullring shopping complex, just prior to 21:00 GMT on Friday, West Midlands Police said.
The suspect, twenty-one, appeared before Birmingham court Monday morning, charged over the violent incident.
Originally charged with attempted murder however after the woman's death the charge has been updated to murder.
Police Response
Authorities stated police personnel will remain around the city centre on Monday providing public assurance, while detectives assisted the victim's relatives.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses who may have seen Mr Rafael, identified as British citizen of Black ethnicity, reportedly dressed in an all-grey tracksuit, dark headwear, trainers with a backpack.
Incident Location
The stabbing happened outside the Bullring shopping centre, across from the main entrance of New Street railway station.
Law enforcement confirmed they were treating it as "unprovoked attack" with investigators stating they were working to understand the motive behind.
Eyewitness Reports
An area worker, who works nearby, recounted the emergency response when she finished her work period at about 22:00 Friday night.
She characterized the location as extremely disorderly, and said some of her colleagues heard loud disturbances around 9 PM.
"Many co-workers use transit services, take the tram... our security is compromised fundamentally, here in the city centre."
Ashley Birks, 25, from Stoke-on-Trent, mentioned visiting the city quite frequently visiting his partner who lives in the city, expressing concern about what had happened.
"It makes me worried about my partner," he said.
"She doesn't drive and works at all of the big music venues... considering a totally random act occurred, you know, it's terrible."