Woman Knifed in Birmingham Bus Shelter Assault Dies
A woman stabbed repeatedly in the neck in an unprovoked attack near a bus shelter within Birmingham has died, police have confirmed.
The victim, who was 34, came under attack on Smallbrook Queensway street, just outside the Bullring shopping centre, just prior to 9 PM GMT Friday evening, West Midlands Police said.
The suspect, twenty-one, was presented at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday, facing charges for the violent incident.
He was previously accused with attempted murder however after the victim's passing charges were upgraded to murder.
Police Response
The force said police personnel will remain in the downtown area through Monday to offer reassurance, while detectives assisted the victim's relatives.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the accused, identified as a Black British national, and is believed to have been wearing grey athletic wear, dark headwear, athletic shoes and rucksack.
Attack Site Details
The stabbing happened outside Bullring retail complex, across from the main entrance of New Street railway station.
Law enforcement confirmed they were treating it as a random violent act with investigators stating they were working to understand the motive behind.
Witness Accounts
An area worker, who works nearby, recounted paramedic and police activity after completing her work period around 10 PM Friday night.
She characterized the location as extremely disorderly, adding that co-workers reported hearing loud disturbances around 9 PM.
"Many my colleagues use transit services, take the tram... our safety is at risk essentially, in the downtown area."
Another individual, twenty-five, from Stoke-on-Trent, mentioned visiting the city quite frequently visiting his partner resident there, and was concerned regarding the incident.
"It makes me worried for my girlfriend," he said.
"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."