Female Victim Knifed in Birmingham Bus Shelter Attack Dies
A woman who was stabbed in the neck in an unprovoked attack at a bus stop 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 on Friday, West Midlands Police said.
The suspect, 21, was presented at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday, charged over the attack.
Originally charged of attempted murder but following the victim's passing the charge has been updated to include murder.
Police Response
Authorities stated officers would be around the city centre on Monday providing public assurance, while detectives assisted the woman's family.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the accused, identified as a Black British national, reportedly dressed in an all-grey tracksuit, dark headwear, trainers and rucksack.
Incident Location
The knife attack occurred near Bullring retail complex, across from the main entrance of New Street railway station.
Police said they classified it as a random violent act with investigators stating they were working to understand why it happened.
Witness Accounts
An area worker, who works nearby, recounted the emergency response after completing her shift at about 22:00 Friday night.
She described the scene as "quite chaotic", adding that some of her colleagues heard a commotion around 9 PM.
"Many co-workers take public transport, take the tram... our safety is at risk essentially, in the downtown area."
Ashley Birks, twenty-five, from Stoke-on-Trent, said he came to Birmingham quite frequently to see his girlfriend who lives in the city, expressing concern regarding the incident.
"It causes concern for my girlfriend," he said.
"She lacks transportation and works at all of the big music venues... considering something completely unprovoked occurred, understandably, it's terrible."