From inside the bathroom of Barcelona Wine Bar, a sobbing employee called 911 for help.
“Somebody’s been shot!” the woman told the operator. “Our boss has been shot.”
It was one of four 911 calls placed early Sunday from the popular Howell Mill Road restaurant following a robbery and shooting that killed a 29-year-old woman. On Wednesday, Atlanta police released audio of the emergency calls seeking help for Chelsea Renee Beller. Meanwhile, Beller's family planned her funeral and friends planned ways to honor the spunky woman known for ever-changing hair color and compassion.
As a manager of Barcelona, Beller and other employees were closing the Westside eatery early Sunday when three masked men came inside, according to witnesses and police. The employees were tied up with electrical tape, but Beller was forced into the office upstairs. Beller opened the safe, police said, then was shot in the right shoulder.
Outside, an Uber driver that had been called to pick up a Barcelona patron watched as two men in hoodies ran inside, the driver told 911. She could hear the men screaming, “Get down” to those inside.
From the parking lot, a security guard also called 911, then watched in disbelief as three men ran from Barcelona and crossed the street. There, the three suspects carjacked a Lyft driver and left the area, the security guard said during the 911 call. Atlanta police later located the stolen vehicle, but the suspects were not found. The three have not been identified and no arrests had been made late Wednesday.
A second Barcelona employee also called 911 as she stood helplessly watching Beller struggle to breathe. An ambulance took Beller to Grady Memorial Hospital, but she did not survive her injuries.
The death shocked those closest to Beller, including numerous co-workers, former co-workers and customers. The parent company for Barcelona, Barteca Restaurant group, said safety of employees and customers is a priority, and that security had been increased during the past year.
“Our focus remains aiding the police in the ongoing investigation, and honoring Chelsea by bringing those responsible to justice,” Barteca CEO Jeff Carcara said in an emailed statement. “We are so appreciative of the outpouring of love and support on Chelsea’s behalf, and will share more about how the community can best pay tribute to her memory as we have more details.”
Memorial set for Friday
Lauda Rodriguez Lacayo previously worked with Beller and the two had become close friends. The long hours and tiring restaurant work brought employees together, and Beller was the glue that kept things running smoothly, Lacayo said.
“She wasn’t afraid of anything,” she said. “She was just so, so special. I think there was a glitch in the universe.”
Beller was born in Marietta and attended Lockhart Academy and Galloway High School in Sandy Springs, where she graduated in 2006, according to her online obituary. She also attended Georgia State University. In addition to her parents and a stepmother, Beller is survived by three younger sisters, her grandmother and her boyfriend.
“Her immediate family and friends are sad for our loss, but will celebrate her love, light, beauty and talent,” Beller’s obituary states. “We ask that her sphere of influence and friends, while rejoicing her deeds and experiences, through tears, remain confident that her spirit will continue to teach, help, love and bring people together.”
Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at H. M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel in Sandy Springs. A memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. with Pastor James Clark officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Los Ninos Primero in Sandy Springs in Beller’s honor.
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