Female Victim Stabbed in Birmingham City Bus Stop Attack Dies
The female victim who was stabbed in the neck during a random assault at a bus stop within Birmingham has passed away, police have confirmed.
The victim, who was 34, was targeted on Smallbrook Queensway street, just outside the Bullring shopping centre, just prior to 9 PM GMT Friday evening, according to police statements.
The suspect, 21, was presented at Birmingham court Monday morning, facing charges for the attack.
He was previously accused of attempted murder but following the woman's death charges were upgraded to include murder.
Police Response
The force said officers would be around the city centre on Monday to offer reassurance, and investigators were supporting the woman's family.
Investigators are requesting for witnesses who might have observed Mr Rafael, identified 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, across from the main entrance to Birmingham New Street station.
Law enforcement confirmed they classified it as a random violent act with investigators stating efforts continue to determine why it happened.
Witness Accounts
An area worker, employed in the vicinity, described paramedic and police activity when she finished her work period around 10 PM Friday night.
She described the scene as "quite chaotic", and said some of her colleagues heard loud disturbances at about 21:00.
"A lot of my colleagues take public transport, take the tram... our security is compromised fundamentally, in the downtown area."
Ashley Birks, 25, from Stoke-on-Trent, mentioned visiting the city fairly regularly to see his girlfriend who lives in the city, expressing concern 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, understandably, it's horrible."
