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The female victim stabbed repeatedly in the neck in an unprovoked attack at a bus stop within Birmingham has passed away, police have confirmed.

The deceased woman, who was 34, was targeted on Smallbrook Queensway street, just outside the Bullring shopping centre, shortly before 21:00 GMT Friday evening, according to police statements.

The suspect, 21, was presented at Birmingham court Monday morning, facing charges for the attack.

Originally charged with attempted murder but following the victim's passing the charge has been updated to include murder.

Police Response

The force said officers would be around the city centre through Monday to offer reassurance, while detectives assisted the victim's relatives.

Detectives are appealing 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 and rucksack.

Incident Location

The knife attack occurred near the Bullring shopping centre, across from 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, employed in the vicinity, described paramedic and police activity when she finished her work period at about 22:00 Friday night.

She described the scene as extremely disorderly, and said co-workers reported hearing a commotion around 9 PM.

"A lot of my colleagues take public transport, ride the tramline... our safety is at risk essentially, in the downtown area."

Ashley Birks, twenty-five, resident of Stoke, mentioned visiting the city fairly regularly to see his girlfriend who lives in the city, and was concerned regarding the incident.

"It causes concern about my partner," he said.

"She lacks transportation and works at all of the big music venues... considering something completely unprovoked [happened], understandably, it's horrible."