Female Victim Knifed in Birmingham City Bus Shelter Attack Succumbs to Injuries
The female victim who was stabbed in the neck in an unprovoked attack at a bus stop within Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.
The deceased woman, who was 34, was targeted on Smallbrook Queensway street, just outside Bullring shopping complex, just prior to 9 PM GMT on Friday, West Midlands Police said.
The suspect, 21, was presented at Birmingham court Monday morning, charged over the attack.
He was previously accused with attempted murder but following the woman's death charges were upgraded to include murder.
Law Enforcement Actions
The force said police personnel will remain around the city centre on Monday providing public assurance, while detectives assisted the victim's relatives.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses who might have observed Mr Rafael, who is described as British citizen of Black ethnicity, and is believed to have been wearing grey athletic wear, black hat, trainers and rucksack.
Attack Site Details
The stabbing happened near Bullring retail complex, opposite primary access point of New Street railway station.
Law enforcement confirmed they classified it as a random violent act and Det Insp James Nix said they were working to understand the motive behind.
Witness Accounts
An area worker, employed in the vicinity, described paramedic and police activity after completing her work period at about 22:00 Friday night.
She described the scene as extremely disorderly, and said co-workers reported hearing a commotion around 9 PM.
"Many my colleagues take public transport, take the tram... our safety is at risk essentially, here in the city centre."
Another individual, twenty-five, resident of Stoke, mentioned visiting the city fairly regularly to see his girlfriend who lives in the city, and was concerned about what had happened.
"It makes me worried about my partner," he said.
"She doesn't drive employed at major concert locations... and to think a totally random act occurred, you know, it's horrible."
