Woman Stabbed in Birmingham Bus Shelter Assault Dies
The female victim stabbed repeatedly to her neck area in an unprovoked attack near a bus shelter in Birmingham has died, authorities verified.
The deceased woman, who was 34, came under attack in Smallbrook Queensway, right beside Bullring shopping complex, just prior to 9 PM GMT Friday evening, West Midlands Police said.
Djeison Rafael, twenty-one, appeared before Birmingham court Monday morning, facing charges for the attack.
He was previously accused of attempted murder however after the woman's death charges were upgraded to include murder.
Police Response
The force said officers would be around the city centre on Monday to offer reassurance, while detectives assisted the woman's family.
Investigators are requesting any eyewitnesses who might have observed Mr Rafael, identified as British citizen of Black ethnicity, reportedly dressed in grey athletic wear, dark headwear, athletic shoes with a backpack.
Attack Site Details
The knife attack occurred near the Bullring shopping centre, across from the main entrance to Birmingham New Street station.
Police said they were treating it as a random violent act and Det Insp James Nix said they were working to understand why it happened.
Witness Accounts
Shalini Doal, employed in the vicinity, described the emergency response after completing her work period at about 22:00 on Friday.
She characterized the location as extremely disorderly, and said some of her colleagues heard loud disturbances around 9 PM.
"A lot of my colleagues use transit services, ride the tramline... our security is compromised essentially, here in the city centre."
Ashley Birks, 25, resident of Stoke, said he came to Birmingham fairly regularly to see his girlfriend who lives in the city, and was concerned about what had happened.
"It causes concern about my partner," he said.
"She lacks transportation employed at all of the big music venues... and to think a totally random act occurred, understandably, it's horrible."
