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A woman stabbed repeatedly to her neck area during a random assault near a bus shelter in Birmingham has passed away, authorities verified.

The deceased woman, who was 34, was targeted on Smallbrook Queensway street, just outside the Bullring shopping centre, just prior to 9 PM GMT Friday evening, according to police statements.

Djeison Rafael, 21, appeared before Birmingham court on Monday, facing charges for the violent incident.

Originally charged with attempted murder however after the victim's passing charges were upgraded to include murder.

Police Response

The force said officers would be around the city centre on Monday to offer reassurance, and investigators were supporting the victim's relatives.

Investigators are requesting any eyewitnesses who might have observed the accused, who is described as a Black British national, and is believed to have been wearing an all-grey tracksuit, dark headwear, athletic shoes and rucksack.

Attack Site Details

The knife attack occurred outside Bullring retail complex, opposite the main entrance of New Street railway station.

Law enforcement confirmed they were treating it as "unprovoked attack" and Det Insp James Nix said they were working to understand why it happened.

Witness Accounts

Shalini Doal, employed in the vicinity, described paramedic and police activity when she finished her work period at about 22:00 on Friday.

She characterized the location as extremely disorderly, and said some of her colleagues heard loud disturbances at about 21:00.

"Many co-workers take public transport, ride the tramline... our safety is at risk essentially, here in the city centre."

Another individual, twenty-five, resident of Stoke, said he came to Birmingham quite frequently to see his girlfriend who lives in the city, and was concerned regarding the incident.

"It makes me worried for my girlfriend," he stated.

"She doesn't drive and works at major concert locations... considering a totally random act [happened], you know, it's horrible."