Barcelona Wine Bar Murder: $20K Reward Offered For Tips

ATLANTA, GA — The reward for tips that lead to the killer of the woman who managed a West Midtown restaurant has increased to $20,000, the Atlanta Police Department said Monday. In an update, authorities said that they believe one of the suspects was suffered serious cuts from a wire fence while fleeing the crime scene.

The robbery and homicide happened about 1:45 a.m. Nov. 19 at the Barcelona Wine Bar. A 29-year-old manager, Chelsea Beller, was shot during the robbery and died soon afterwards at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Detectives collected blood and clothing evidence from the restaurant, which they've shared with the GBI for DNA analysis, reports WXIA.

The robbers broke into the restaurant shortly before closing time and tied up employees with electrical tape, police say. The suspects forced Beller, of Atlanta, to an office upstairs, where they forced her to open a safe and then shot her in the shoulder.

Once officers arrived, Beller was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital, where she later died. The three robbers got away before police arrived.

Police said they're working to identify the three men shown in surveillance videos. "While they are masked, we are hoping their distinctive clothing (including pants and shoes), will assist in identifying and apprehending them," a police spokesman said.

"No crime against our citizens, anywhere in the city, is acceptable. But the robbery and murder of an innocent restaurant manager doing her job is a terrible crime that has shocked even the most jaded among us here at APD," said Carlos Campos, a police spokesman, in a statement.

The police are working diligently to find the robbers, Campos said. "These crimes are unacceptable, and we will not rest in our pursuit of shutting down these violent criminals."

In a memorial, Beller's friends left flowers and candles outside the Barcelona Wine Bar on Nov. 19, WSB TV reported.

A Chelsea Beller Memorial Fund on the GoFundMe website has raised more than $26,000 for her family with expenses.

The person who started the fundraiser called Beller a very kind soul who "was as cute as a button, but equally fierce (in a fun, loving kind of way)."

Beller is survived by her mother, Dana, two sisters, her boyfriend, James, and numerous friends and colleagues.

Atlanta police ask anyone with information that will help identify the suspects in the murder at the Barcelona Wine Bar to call them, or provide an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers Atlanta by calling 404-577-TIPS (8477). You can also text information to 274637 or visit crimestoppersatlanta.org. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Video: Surveillance video from the robbery at the Barcelona Wine Bar (Atlanta PD)

Image of robbery suspects courtesy of Atlanta Police Department; photo of Chelsea Beller courtesy of GoFundMe website