🔗 Share this article

The female victim stabbed repeatedly in the neck during a random assault near a bus shelter in Birmingham has died, authorities verified.

The victim, who was 34, was targeted in Smallbrook Queensway, right beside the Bullring shopping centre, just prior to 9 PM GMT on Friday, West Midlands Police said.

Djeison Rafael, twenty-one, was presented at Birmingham court Monday morning, facing charges for the violent incident.

Originally charged with attempted murder however after the woman's death the charge has been updated to murder.

Law Enforcement Actions

Authorities stated officers would be in the downtown area on Monday providing public assurance, and investigators were supporting the victim's relatives.

Investigators are requesting any eyewitnesses who might have observed the accused, identified as British citizen of Black ethnicity, and is believed to have been wearing an all-grey tracksuit, black hat, athletic shoes with a backpack.

Attack Site Details

The knife attack occurred outside 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.

Eyewitness Reports

An area worker, employed in the vicinity, described paramedic and police activity after completing her shift at about 22:00 Friday night.

She characterized the location as "quite chaotic", adding that some of her colleagues heard loud disturbances at about 21:00.

"Many co-workers use transit services, take the tram... our safety is at risk fundamentally, here in the city centre."

Another individual, 25, resident of Stoke, said he came the city quite frequently visiting his partner resident there, and was concerned about what had happened.

"It makes me worried for my girlfriend," he said.

"She lacks transportation and works at all of the big music venues... considering a totally random act occurred, you know, it's terrible."