NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio — North Royalton's building commissioner was killed inside the city's service center Friday afternoon, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office.
According to emergency dispatch recordings, police and paramedics were called to the building on Royalton Road just before 1:30 p.m. for a report of the building commissioner being shot.
By the time emergency crews arrived, the victim was dead.
He was identified Friday night as 52-year-old David Smerek.
North Royalton's website lists Smerek as the city's building commissioner.
A short time after police responded to the scene, the mayor's office issued the following statement:
"The City of North Royalton is deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden loss of one of our colleagues. Please join us in grieving for his family, coworkers and our entire community during this extremely difficult time. The City of North Royalton will provide further details as they become known and our colleague’s extended family and loved ones can be contacted. Please know there is no threat to the community."
Authorities have not released any additional details about what happened inside the building. But, according to dispatch recordings, emergency crews saw a man believed to be the perpetrator seated on the ground outside the building department when they arrived.
A News 5 viewer shared a photo of what he said was a man in handcuffs who was later put in the back of a police car.
The city confirmed on Saturday evening that a suspect was immediately detained.
News 5 spoke with the building commissioner's sister, Kelly Smerek, who reiterated how appreciative they are of everyone's messages of support and sympathy. The family 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.”
Dan Gladish said he had been friends with Smerek for more than 30 years, first working together in the trades and then as building inspectors.
The pair spoke on the phone Friday morning.
"He was as happy as could be and a few hours later, it's what we have now," said Gladish.
Gladish, who serves as Medina's chief building official, said conflict comes with the job.
"We deal with a lot of property maintenance and you get a lot of unhappy people where you've got to force them or try to get them to comply with city ordinances and the building codes," said Gladish.
But he said what happened inside North Royalton's Service Center didn't make sense. He said Smerek was a husband, father and a good guy who served the people of North Royalton well.
Smerek was also an alternate member of Brunswick Hills' Board of Zoning Appeals.
"He's going to be missed without a doubt," said Gladish. "He's going to truly be missed."
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.
"Our community has lost a true treasure, a faithful servant and a positive light in our world," Marnecheck said.
Watch more on this from News 5's Clay LePard:
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.
"We believe Dave's presence Friday, as unfortunate and heartbreaking as it is, prevented further tragedy in our building. We work in a line of business where many people enter our buildings daily. We will continue to greet all our visitors as guests and to honor Dave's legacy, and move North Royalton forward as a welcoming, neighborly community," the mayor said.
