A 69-year-old man has been charged with murder in the shooting death of North Royalton's building commissioner.
The suspect, Edward Biesiada, was arraigned in Parma Municipal Court on Monday. He's been charged with one count of murder, a first-degree felony.
During the arraignment, he waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and his case was bound over to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. He is being held in lieu of a $15 million bond.
The judge said North Royalton Building Commissioner David Smerek was shot three times with a Glock 43 handgun, which was left on the counter.
"It was overheard by another employee, and that's how we got the call," North Royalton Police Sgt. John Stolarski said.
Police said Biesiada waited for officers outside.
He faces 15 years to life in prison plus a possible 3-year gun specification if found guilty.
North Royalton's Mayor was among those who packed the courtroom for Biesiada's arraignment Monday.
"This is an individual who I think definitely deserved the bond he got," Mayor Paul Marnecheck said.
North Royalton mayor's court records show Smerek cited Biesiada for the condition of the outside of his property on Patricia Drive.
Biesiada had a court appearance on that citation scheduled for next week.
"There was some interaction at his home where, possibly, the building department, well, not possibly, they were going to cite him for some building code violations," Stolarski said.
Bricks, cinder blocks, tarps and plastic drums are all over the side and backyard of Biesiada's home.
"At first, I thought he was doing some improvements, and then it just kept getting worse and worse and worse and weird, you know, 'When are you going to clean that up?'" Peter Hauk said.
Hauk lives down the street from Biesiada.
"I think he was just so destitute and the city was giving him all kinds ... three years ago; he was complaining to me about the city going after him, so it's been an ongoing ordeal for him," Hauk said.
What happened?
According to emergency dispatch recordings, police and paramedics were called to the building on Royalton Road just before 1:30 p.m. on July 24 for a report of the building commissioner being shot. By the time emergency crews arrived, Smerek was dead.
RELATED: North Royalton building commissioner killed at work
News 5 spoke with the building commissioner's sister, Kelly Smerek, who said the family is appreciative of everyone's messages of support and sympathy. It released a statement saying:
“As a family, we want to thank everyone for your condolences and support. We especially want to thank the City of North Royalton and mayor Paul F. Marnecheck II for the love and support during this difficult time. As you can all imagine, we are greatly saddened by this tragic incident. David is loved by all who knew him and those who worked with him. He very much loved to help others in any way that he could. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this difficult time ahead as a family.”
Mayor Paul F. Marnecheck II issued the following statement Saturday evening that said, in part:
"Dave always had a smile and eagerness to serve the community and his coworkers. He lit up any room, any office he walked into, instantly transforming it into a light, jovial atmosphere. He always had a quick, funny story or insight to share, and a shoulder to lighten the load that can often come with public service. We always enjoyed his laugh. Dave would often talk and chuckle simultaneously. Dave was fun, but he deeply enjoyed his work and doing the right thing."
The mayor said the entire city mourns Smerek, who began working as a building inspector 13 years ago and became the building commissioner in 2024.
City Hall, the service building and the splash pad will be closed until Tuesday. Additionally, there will be a police officer at the building department "for the foreseeable future," the city said in a social media post. The city's safety director will also evaluate and assess every municipal building and access point.
A vigil for Smerek is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at St. Albert the Great Parish, 6667 Wallings Road, North Royalton.
RELATED: Vigil announced for North Royalton building commissioner
