A second suspect has been charged in the shooting death of restaurant manager Chelsea Beller, Atlanta police said Friday. But officers didn’t have to search for him: He was already in jail.
Carlous Demar Bailey, 20, has been charged with murder and armed robbery, according to police. He has been in the DeKalb County jail since Dec. 13, when Decatur police charged him with armed robbery in a separate case, booking records showed.
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On Nov. 19, three masked men entered the Barcelona Wine Bar in northwest Atlanta while employees were closing the restaurant, witnesses told police. Beller opened the safe for the suspects, but was shot in the restaurant office and died from her injuries.
The first suspect identified in the case, Samuel Ott, was arrested Dec. 23 and charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping and false imprisonment. He remained Friday in the Fulton County jail.
“Everyone involved in this case has been affected by the brutality of the crimes against Chelsea Beller and the other employees who were tied up, robbed and terrorized,” Atlanta police Chief Erika Shields said. “Our team of homicide investigators have worked together to get us where we are today in announcing another arrest in the Barcelona Wine Bar case. We knew it was only a matter of time before our efforts paid dividends and another suspect was identified.”
Beller, 29, was known for her free spirit and ever-changing hair color, according to friends. With her lively personality and ambitious spirit, Beller’s nickname was “Rainbow Brite” after the 1980s cartoon character.
The investigation into Beller’s shooting death continues, police said. CrimeStoppers Atlanta again raised the reward for information in the case, bringing the total to $40,000. Tipsters, who can remain anonymous, are asked to call 404-577-TIPS (8477).
“I can assure you we will not rest until all the suspects in this case are in custody,” Shields said.
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