Female Victim Knifed in Birmingham City Bus Stop Assault Succumbs to Injuries
A woman who was stabbed in the neck during a random assault at a bus stop within Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.
The victim, who was 34, came under attack in Smallbrook Queensway, right beside Bullring shopping complex, shortly before 9 PM GMT Friday evening, according to police statements.
The suspect, twenty-one, appeared before Birmingham Magistrates Court Monday morning, charged over the violent incident.
He was previously accused of attempted murder however after the victim's passing the charge has been updated to murder.
Law Enforcement Actions
The force said officers would be in the downtown area through Monday to offer reassurance, while detectives assisted the woman's family.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses who may have seen Mr Rafael, who is described as British citizen of Black ethnicity, reportedly dressed in grey athletic wear, dark headwear, athletic shoes with a backpack.
Incident Location
The knife attack occurred near Bullring retail complex, across from primary access point to Birmingham New Street station.
Police said they were treating it as "unprovoked attack" and Det Insp James Nix said efforts continue to determine why it happened.
Witness Accounts
Shalini Doal, employed in the vicinity, described paramedic and police activity when she finished her shift at about 22:00 Friday night.
She characterized the location as extremely disorderly, adding that co-workers reported hearing loud disturbances at about 21:00.
"A lot of co-workers use transit services, take the tram... our security is compromised fundamentally, in the downtown area."
Another individual, 25, resident of Stoke, said he came the city fairly regularly to see his girlfriend who lives in the city, and was concerned regarding the incident.
"It causes concern 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."