Female Victim Knifed in Birmingham City Bus Shelter Assault Dies
The female victim who was stabbed to her neck area during a random assault near a bus shelter within Birmingham has passed away, police have confirmed.
The victim, who was 34, came under attack on Smallbrook Queensway street, just outside the Bullring shopping centre, shortly before 21:00 GMT Friday evening, according to police statements.
The suspect, twenty-one, appeared before Birmingham court on Monday, charged over the violent incident.
He was previously accused of attempted murder but following the victim's passing charges were upgraded to murder.
Police Response
The force said 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 the accused, identified as British citizen of Black ethnicity, and is believed to have been wearing an all-grey tracksuit, dark headwear, athletic shoes and rucksack.
Incident Location
The knife attack occurred outside Bullring retail complex, opposite primary access point to Birmingham New Street station.
Police said they classified it as "unprovoked attack" with investigators stating they were working to understand the motive behind.
Eyewitness Reports
An area worker, who works nearby, recounted paramedic and police activity when she finished her work period around 10 PM on Friday.
She described the scene as "quite chaotic", adding that co-workers reported hearing loud disturbances around 9 PM.
"Many co-workers take public transport, take the tram... our safety is at risk fundamentally, here in the city centre."
Ashley Birks, twenty-five, resident of Stoke, said he came the city quite frequently to see his girlfriend resident there, expressing concern 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... considering something completely unprovoked occurred, you know, it's horrible."
