Man Accused in Killing of Popular Cathedral City Business Owner Due in Court

One of two men accused in an armed robbery-turned-shooting that killed the co-owner of a Cathedral City convenience store is due in court Thursday. The accused shooter, Charles Lamar Campbell of Beaumont, and his alleged accomplice, Joel Ortiz-Hidalgo of Desert Hot Springs, were arrested Monday in connection with the fatal shooting of 61-year-old Cathedral City resident Chris Sgouromitis on Feb. 21. Both men are charged with one count each of murder and attempted robbery. They additionally each face a special circumstance allegation of killing in the commission of a robbery, which opens them up to potential death sentences if the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office pursues them. Both defendants remain in custody in lieu of $1 million bail at Smith Correctional Facility in Banning. Ortiz-Hidalgo is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Thursday before a judge at the Banning Justice Center, while Campbell is expected to appear in court Friday. Authorities say Campbell gunned down Sgouromitis while Ortiz-Hidalgo acted as the getaway driver. Police were sent to Outpost Market at 68171 Ramon Road at about 9:15 p.m. on Feb. 21 on an armed robbery report. Patrol officers arrived and found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite first responders’ attempts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Sgouromitis was popular in the community. The day after the shooting, community members came in and out of the store paying their respects to the business owner and visiting a makeshift memorial nearby. According to police, he was a "father of four with strong local community ties, who was not involved in criminal activity and died in his longtime place of business." Police said help from residents was "critical" in tracking down the two suspects. Neither man has any documented felony convictions in Riverside County. RELATED ARTICLES: Car wash to raise funeral funds for Cathedral City business owner killed by intruder Investigation Continues Into Deadly Market Robbery in Cathedral City