Woman Knifed in Birmingham City Bus Stop Attack Succumbs to Injuries
The female victim stabbed repeatedly in the neck during a random assault at a bus stop within Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.
The deceased woman, who was 34, came under attack in Smallbrook Queensway, just outside the Bullring shopping centre, just prior to 21:00 GMT on Friday, according to police statements.
The suspect, 21, appeared before Birmingham court Monday morning, charged over the violent incident.
He was previously accused with attempted murder but following the victim's passing charges were upgraded to murder.
Police Response
Authorities stated 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 might have observed Mr Rafael, identified as a Black British national, and is believed to have been wearing an all-grey tracksuit, dark headwear, trainers and rucksack.
Incident Location
The stabbing happened near Bullring retail complex, opposite primary access point of New Street railway station.
Police said they were treating it as "unprovoked attack" and Det Insp James Nix said efforts continue to determine why it happened.
Eyewitness Reports
An area worker, employed in the vicinity, described the emergency response when she finished her work period at about 22:00 on Friday.
She characterized the location as "quite chaotic", adding that co-workers reported hearing a commotion at about 21:00.
"A lot of co-workers use transit services, take the tram... our security is compromised essentially, here in the city centre."
Ashley Birks, twenty-five, from Stoke-on-Trent, mentioned visiting to Birmingham fairly regularly to see his girlfriend resident there, expressing concern regarding the incident.
"It causes concern for my girlfriend," he stated.
"She lacks transportation and works at major concert locations... considering a totally random act occurred, understandably, it's horrible."
