Woman Stabbed in Birmingham Bus Shelter Assault Succumbs to Injuries
The female victim stabbed repeatedly in the neck during a random assault at a bus stop in Birmingham has passed away, 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, West Midlands Police said.
Djeison Rafael, twenty-one, appeared before Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday, charged over the attack.
Originally charged of attempted murder however after the woman's death the charge has been updated to murder.
Law Enforcement Actions
Authorities stated officers would be in the downtown area through Monday to offer reassurance, and investigators were supporting the woman's family.
Detectives are appealing any eyewitnesses who may have seen the accused, who is described as British citizen of Black ethnicity, reportedly dressed in grey athletic wear, black hat, trainers and rucksack.
Incident Location
The stabbing happened outside the Bullring shopping centre, across from 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.
Witness Accounts
Shalini Doal, who works nearby, described paramedic and police activity when she finished her work period around 10 PM Friday night.
She described the scene as extremely disorderly, adding that co-workers reported hearing a commotion around 9 PM.
"Many my colleagues use transit services, take the tram... our safety is at risk essentially, here in the city centre."
Another individual, twenty-five, from Stoke-on-Trent, said he came the city fairly regularly visiting his partner resident there, and was concerned about what had happened.
"It causes concern about my partner," he stated.
"She doesn't drive and works at major concert locations... and to think something completely unprovoked occurred, understandably, it's terrible."
