Female Victim Stabbed in Birmingham Bus Shelter Attack Dies
The female victim who was stabbed to her neck area during a random assault near a bus shelter within Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.
The victim, who was 34, was targeted in Smallbrook Queensway, right beside the Bullring shopping centre, just prior to 21:00 GMT Friday evening, West Midlands Police said.
The suspect, twenty-one, appeared before Birmingham Magistrates 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 include murder.
Law Enforcement Actions
Authorities stated police personnel will remain around the city centre through Monday providing public assurance, and investigators were supporting 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 with a backpack.
Attack Site Details
The stabbing happened outside the Bullring shopping centre, opposite the main entrance to Birmingham New Street station.
Police said they were treating it as "unprovoked attack" with investigators stating efforts continue to determine why it happened.
Eyewitness Reports
An area worker, who works nearby, recounted paramedic and police activity after completing her shift at about 22:00 on Friday.
She described the scene as "quite chaotic", adding that some of her colleagues heard a commotion around 9 PM.
"A lot of my colleagues use transit services, ride the tramline... our security is compromised fundamentally, in the downtown area."
Ashley Birks, twenty-five, resident of Stoke, said he came to Birmingham quite frequently visiting his partner who lives in the city, expressing concern regarding the incident.
"It makes me worried for my girlfriend," he said.
"She doesn't drive and works at major concert locations... considering something completely unprovoked occurred, understandably, it's horrible."
