Woman Stabbed in Birmingham Bus Shelter Attack Dies
The female victim who was stabbed in the neck in an unprovoked attack near a bus shelter within Birmingham has died, authorities verified.
The victim, aged 34 years, 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 on Monday, charged over the attack.
Originally charged with attempted murder but following the victim's passing the charge has been updated to include murder.
Law Enforcement Actions
Authorities stated police personnel will remain around the city centre on Monday providing public assurance, while detectives assisted the woman's family.
Investigators are requesting for witnesses who may have seen Mr Rafael, who is described as a Black British national, and is believed to have been wearing grey athletic wear, black hat, trainers with a backpack.
Incident Location
The knife attack occurred outside the Bullring shopping centre, opposite primary access point of New Street railway station.
Law enforcement confirmed they were treating it as "unprovoked attack" with investigators stating efforts continue to determine the motive behind.
Witness Accounts
An area worker, employed in the vicinity, recounted the emergency response when she finished her shift at about 22:00 on Friday.
She characterized the location as "quite chaotic", and said some of her colleagues heard loud disturbances at about 21:00.
"Many my colleagues use transit services, ride the tramline... our security is compromised essentially, in the downtown area."
Ashley Birks, 25, from Stoke-on-Trent, mentioned visiting to Birmingham fairly regularly visiting his partner resident there, expressing concern regarding the incident.
"It causes concern about my partner," he stated.
"She lacks transportation employed at all of the big music venues... considering something completely unprovoked occurred, you know, it's terrible."
