Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

SHUSWAP SHOOTING

Jury deliberations to begin for 2021 Scotch Creek second-degree murder trial

May 8, 2025 | 4:56 PM

KAMLOOPS — Thursday (May 8) saw the beginning of jury deliberations around whether or not a Shuswap area resident accused of shooting another man killed him in an act of self-defense or murder.

The trial stems from a deadly incident in Scotch Creek on June 25, 2021. Court previously heard Paul Binder, the operator of a car wash in the community, shot and killed John Vance that morning.

It was agreed during the trial that Binder was holding the 9-millimetre handgun that shot Vance in the chest and killed him. Previous testimony from a firearms expert indicated the gun did not misfire.

Trial proceedings presented testimony from both Crown and defense around the friendship and eventual disagreements between the two men, including witnesses referencing a physical fight in the months prior.

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As shown in surveillance video, the morning of his death, Vance arrived at the car wash. Binder and Vance are seen having what appears to have been a heated conversation, before Binder goes to his home next door, comes back with a gun, and fires one shot at Vance.

When police arrived, they found the 32-year-old Vance hanging partway out of his truck in one of the carwash bays, with a machete attached to his belt, and a shotgun laying near him. He died at the scene.

Closing arguments from defense pointed to Vance being the aggressor in the arguments between him and Binder leading up to the deadly incident, also making note of Vance’s unwanted presence at Binder’s property, while Crown argued Binder acted purposefully that morning.

Charge instructions were provided to jurors Thursday afternoon, before they left for the jury room to begin deliberations. A decision is anticipated in the coming days.