Mental health evaluation ordered for man accused in deadly shooting of North Royalton building commissioner
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The man accused of fatally shooting the North Royalton building commissioner inside the service department, was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation Wednesday.
Edward Biesiada is now scheduled to return to court on Dec. 8.
Biesiada has previously pleaded not guilty to the following charges and is being held without bond:
- One count of aggravated murder
- Two counts of murder
- Two counts of felonious assault
- One count of intimidation
David Smerek, 52, of Brunswick, was killed on July 24 around 1:25 p.m.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley said Biesiada drove to the North Royalton Service Center and parked his vehicle in the parking lot.
Biesiada then allegedly entered the building with a firearm, approached Smerek and shot him multiple times.
After the shooting, O’Malley said Biesiada put the gun on the counter and walked outside to the front of the building.
North Royalton police and firefighters immediately responded and Biesiada was taken into custody.
Smerek was pronounced dead at the scene.
North Royalton Mayor Paul Marnecheck II said the shooting was “senseless gun violence.”
“He (Smerek) is probably one of the finest public servants anyone who could ever ask to work with. He was always asking, How can I help? How can I help you? How can I make sure you understand our codes? How can I work with you to find a way where you’re able to understand and to enjoy North Royalton,” said Marnecheck.
19 News dug into Biesiada’s past and learned Biesiada had a previous run-in with Smerek.
On July 10, Smerek cited Biesiada for a misdemeanor violation of the condition of exterior of premises and structures.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
