Female Victim Stabbed in Birmingham City Bus Stop Assault Succumbs to Injuries
The female victim stabbed repeatedly in the neck in an unprovoked attack at a bus stop within Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.
The deceased woman, aged 34 years, came under attack in Smallbrook Queensway, just outside Bullring shopping complex, shortly before 9 PM GMT on Friday, West Midlands Police said.
The suspect, 21, was presented at Birmingham court on Monday, facing charges for the attack.
Originally charged of attempted murder however after the woman's death the charge has been updated to murder.
Law Enforcement Actions
The force said police personnel will remain around the city centre through Monday providing public assurance, and investigators were supporting the woman's family.
Detectives are appealing any eyewitnesses who may have seen Mr Rafael, identified as British citizen of Black ethnicity, reportedly dressed in grey athletic wear, black hat, athletic shoes with a backpack.
Attack Site Details
The stabbing happened outside the Bullring shopping centre, across from primary access point of New Street railway station.
Law enforcement confirmed they classified it as a random violent act with investigators stating they were working to understand why it happened.
Eyewitness Reports
An area worker, employed in the vicinity, described paramedic and police activity after completing her shift around 10 PM Friday night.
She described the scene as "quite chaotic", adding that co-workers reported hearing a commotion around 9 PM.
"Many my colleagues take public transport, take the tram... our security is compromised fundamentally, in the downtown area."
Another individual, twenty-five, resident of Stoke, said he came to Birmingham fairly regularly to see his girlfriend resident there, and was concerned about what had happened.
"It makes me worried for my girlfriend," he stated.
"She doesn't drive and works at all of the big music venues... and to think a totally random act occurred, you know, it's terrible."
