Woman Stabbed in Birmingham Bus Stop Attack Dies
The female victim who was stabbed to her neck area during a random assault near a bus shelter in Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.
The victim, who was 34, was targeted on Smallbrook Queensway street, just outside Bullring shopping complex, shortly before 21:00 GMT Friday evening, according to police statements.
Djeison Rafael, 21, appeared before Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday, facing charges for the violent incident.
He was previously accused with attempted murder but following the woman's death charges were upgraded to include murder.
Police Response
Authorities stated police personnel will remain in the downtown area through Monday providing public assurance, while detectives assisted the victim's relatives.
Detectives are appealing any eyewitnesses who may have seen the accused, who is described as a Black British national, reportedly dressed in grey athletic wear, dark headwear, trainers with a backpack.
Incident Location
The stabbing happened near the Bullring shopping centre, 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
An area worker, employed in the vicinity, described paramedic and police activity after completing her shift around 10 PM on Friday.
She characterized the location as "quite chaotic", adding that co-workers reported hearing a commotion around 9 PM.
"A lot of co-workers take public transport, ride the tramline... our safety is at risk essentially, here in the city centre."
Ashley Birks, 25, from Stoke-on-Trent, said he came to Birmingham fairly regularly to see his girlfriend resident there, and was concerned regarding the incident.
"It makes me worried for my girlfriend," he said.
"She lacks transportation employed at all of the big music venues... considering a totally random act [happened], you know, it's horrible."