🔗 Share this article

The female victim stabbed repeatedly to her neck area during a random assault at a bus stop in Birmingham has passed away, police have confirmed.

The deceased woman, who was 34, was targeted in Smallbrook Queensway, just outside Bullring shopping complex, shortly before 9 PM GMT Friday evening, West Midlands Police said.

The suspect, 21, was presented at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday, charged over the violent incident.

Originally charged of attempted murder but following the victim's passing charges were upgraded to include murder.

Law Enforcement Actions

Authorities stated officers would be around the city centre through Monday to offer reassurance, while detectives assisted the victim's relatives.

Investigators are requesting for witnesses who might have observed Mr Rafael, who is described as British citizen of Black ethnicity, reportedly dressed in an all-grey tracksuit, dark headwear, trainers with a backpack.

Incident Location

The stabbing happened outside Bullring retail complex, across from primary access point to Birmingham New Street station.

Law enforcement confirmed they were treating it as "unprovoked attack" and Det Insp James Nix said they were working to understand the motive behind.

Witness Accounts

Shalini Doal, employed in the vicinity, described paramedic and police activity when she finished her shift around 10 PM Friday night.

She described the scene as "quite chaotic", and said some of her colleagues heard a commotion at about 21:00.

"A lot of my colleagues take public transport, take the tram... our safety is at risk fundamentally, here in the city centre."

Ashley Birks, 25, from Stoke-on-Trent, said he came to Birmingham fairly regularly to see his girlfriend resident there, expressing concern regarding the incident.

"It causes concern for my girlfriend," he stated.

"She lacks transportation employed at major concert locations... considering a totally random act occurred, understandably, it's horrible."