🔗 Share this article

The female victim who was stabbed to her neck area in an unprovoked attack at a bus stop in Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.

The victim, who was 34, was targeted on Smallbrook Queensway street, just outside Bullring shopping complex, just prior to 9 PM GMT Friday evening, according to police statements.

Djeison Rafael, 21, appeared before Birmingham Magistrates Court Monday morning, facing charges for the attack.

Originally charged with attempted murder however after the victim's passing the charge has been updated to include murder.

Police Response

The force said officers would be in the downtown area through Monday providing public assurance, and investigators were supporting the victim's relatives.

Investigators are requesting for witnesses who may have seen the accused, who is described as a Black British national, and is believed to have been wearing an all-grey tracksuit, dark headwear, athletic shoes and rucksack.

Attack Site Details

The knife attack occurred outside the Bullring shopping centre, opposite the main entrance of New Street railway station.

Police said they were treating it as "unprovoked attack" with investigators stating efforts continue to determine why it happened.

Eyewitness Reports

Shalini Doal, employed in the vicinity, recounted paramedic and police activity when she finished her work period at about 22:00 Friday night.

She characterized the location as extremely disorderly, and said co-workers reported hearing loud disturbances at about 21:00.

"A lot of my colleagues take public transport, ride the tramline... our security is compromised essentially, in the downtown area."

Another individual, twenty-five, resident of Stoke, said he came the city quite frequently visiting his partner resident there, expressing concern regarding the incident.

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

"She doesn't drive employed at all of the big music venues... and to think something completely unprovoked occurred, you know, it's terrible."