🔗 Share this article

The female victim who was stabbed to her neck area during a random assault near a bus shelter within Birmingham has passed away, authorities verified.

The victim, who was 34, came under attack on Smallbrook Queensway street, just outside the Bullring shopping centre, just prior to 21:00 GMT Friday evening, West Midlands Police said.

The suspect, 21, appeared before Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday, charged over the attack.

He was previously accused with attempted murder however after 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 on Monday to offer reassurance, while detectives assisted the victim's relatives.

Investigators are requesting any eyewitnesses who might have observed Mr Rafael, who is described as a Black British national, and is believed to have been wearing grey athletic wear, dark headwear, trainers with a backpack.

Attack Site Details

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

Police said they were treating it as a random violent act and Det Insp James Nix said efforts continue to determine the motive behind.

Eyewitness Reports

An area worker, who works nearby, described paramedic and police activity after completing her shift around 10 PM on Friday.

She described the scene as extremely disorderly, and said some of her colleagues heard a commotion around 9 PM.

"A lot of co-workers use transit services, take the tram... our security is compromised essentially, in the downtown area."

Another individual, 25, resident of Stoke, mentioned visiting to Birmingham fairly regularly visiting his partner who lives in the city, and was concerned about what had happened.

"It makes me worried about my partner," he stated.

"She doesn't drive and works at all of the big music venues... and to think a totally random act [happened], you know, it's terrible."