Self-defence or murder? Trial in Shuswap car wash killing begins

John Vance died from a single, point-blank gunshot to the chest at a Shuswap car wash. Whether the car wash manager held the gun that shot him isn’t in question.

Crown prosecutor Laura Drake told the Kamloops jury she expects they will be tasked with deciding whether Paul Binder intended to kill Vance or whether he was acting in self defence.

“There’s no mystery here about how Mr. Vance died. It’s not in dispute Mr. Binder was holding a gun that shot Mr. Vance in the chest once, causing Mr. Vance’s death,” Drake told the jury as the trial got underway Monday, April 28.

Binder is charged with second-degree murder and is being tried by judge and jury.

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On June 25, 2021, police were called to a Scotch Creek car wash around 5:45 a.m. where they found Vance in the middle of three vehicle bays. Drake told the jury they will hear from police who found Vance partially inside his truck with a machete and a shotgun nearby.

Binder operated the car wash and lived immediately next door. It’s not clear why Vance was at the car wash early that morning, but Binder came outside to confront him before the shooting.

The entire incident was recorded on the car wash surveillance system, capturing Binder going back inside his home briefly and, according to Drake, returned carrying at 9 mm Smith and Wesson handgun.

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“On the video you will see Mr. Vance, who is empty-handed, being shot,” Drake said.

The surveillance video of the shooting itself was not shown to the jury Monday, but the trial will continue for two weeks.

Binder, was in the courtroom dressed in a suit, represented by lawyers Jay Michi and Kyle Komarynsky.

— This story was updated at 6:20 a.m., April 30, 2025. A previous version incorrectly stated Paul Binder was on bail.