An employee of Barcelona Wine Bar Westside was shot and killed during a robbery at early Sunday morning, and three suspects are on the run, according to police.
Chelsea Beller, 29, of Atlanta was shot in the shoulder after being forced to open a safe in the upstairs part of the restaurant, located in the Westside Ironworks development at 1085 Howell Mill Road, police said. She was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where she later died of her injuries.
The robbery happened about 1:45 a.m., Atlanta police spokeswoman Officer Lisa Bender told Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Ellen Eldridge.
Three men rushed in as the restaurant was closing and tied up the employees with electrical tape, Bender said.
"Investigators are diligently following up on leads on this case," Bender said. "There have been no arrests."
“All of our employees are really like an extended family—this loss is a horrible tragedy and it has shaken all of us," said Eric Ferraro, the restaurant's general manager. "As this investigation gets underway, we are working closely with the Atlanta police to help them with the investigation. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Chelsea’s family and our team.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, text information to 274637 or visit crimestoppersatlanta.org. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000.
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