🔗 Share this article

A woman stabbed repeatedly to her neck area in an unprovoked attack near a bus shelter within Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.

The victim, aged 34 years, came under attack on Smallbrook Queensway street, right beside Bullring shopping complex, just prior to 21:00 GMT Friday evening, according to police statements.

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

He was previously accused 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 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, identified as British citizen of Black ethnicity, reportedly dressed in grey athletic wear, dark headwear, trainers and rucksack.

Incident Location

The stabbing happened near Bullring retail complex, across from the main entrance of New Street railway station.

Police said they classified it as "unprovoked attack" with investigators stating they were working to understand why it happened.

Eyewitness Reports

Shalini Doal, who works nearby, described paramedic and police activity after completing her shift at about 22:00 Friday night.

She described the scene as extremely disorderly, adding that co-workers reported hearing a commotion around 9 PM.

"A lot of my colleagues use transit services, take the tram... our safety is at risk fundamentally, in the downtown area."

Another individual, twenty-five, resident of Stoke, mentioned visiting the city quite frequently visiting his partner who lives in the city, and was concerned about what had happened.

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

"She lacks transportation employed at all of the big music venues... and to think a totally random act occurred, understandably, it's terrible."