UPDATED: Franklin Homicide Suspect Found Dead Inside Royal Oak House

7:00 p.m.: During the Birmingham Public Schools press conference, officials confirmed the death of longtime West Maple Elementary School teacher Harry Berkowitz, of Franklin.

Earlier in the day, police said they believe the person inside the Royal Oak home might be connected to a suspicious death in Franklin. But at the press conference, officials would not comment any further about whether the two were connected.

5:30 p.m.: Royal Oak Police have identified Thomas Ian Matthews, a 33-year-old Franklin resident, as the man found dead in a Royal Oak home earlier today.

3:54 p.m.: The suspect in the Royal Oak police barricade situation was found dead of a self-inflicted wound Tuesday afternoon on a bed on the first floor of the house on Sprague Avenue.

The homeowner has been kept aprised of the situation. She wasn't home at the time.

The matter is now being handled by the Franklin Police Department.

3:15 p.m.: Royal Oak Schools Superintendent Shawn Lewis-Lakin sent a letter home to parents this afternoon urging them to leave their children at school if they live near the area of the police barricade and would be headed home alone.

"Please contact your child’s school so that they can hold your child at school at the end of the day," his note read.

The suggestion was for families in an area south of Gardenia, east of Campbell, west of I-75, and north of 11 Mile Road.

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3:00 p.m.: The Franklin-Bingham Farms Police Department is investigating the suspicious death of a resident that is likely tied to an ongoing barricade situation in Royal Oak, authorities said.

Franklin-Bingham Farms police officers responded to 26000 block of Charles Street this morning and discovered the dead resident, whose identity is not being released this afternoon pending notification to relatives, a press release stated.

2:02 p.m.: Royal Oak Mayor Jim Ellison is at the scene. He was made aware of the situation by City Manager Don Johnson and was getting updates from police.

Ellison said the police are keeping what they know close to the vest, but did say they were awaiting for a robot, which just arrived.

1:15 p.m.: Police are covering all four corners of a home on Sprague Avenue where they believe a homicide suspect is hiding out inside.

With guns drawn, the SWAT team is down on one knee with eyes focused on the house.

A negotiator is audible from a block away.

Police Chief Corrigan O'Donohue said the team is comprised of operators from Berkley, Madison Heights, Ferndale and Royal Oak.

About 1 p.m., he said there had been no activity, including gunfire, from inside the house. A negotiator on site is not getting any response from the house, the chief said.

The chief said it is unclear how long the team will be on the scene.

Despite suggestions from the police to stay away, there is a small crowd at Minerva, near University.

12:20 p.m.: Royal Oak reisdents who near 11 Mile and I-75 are being asked to stay inside their homes, according to Royal Oak Police Lt. Dave Clemens.

He said Royal Oak police have responded to an "ongoing police situation".

Those who live near the scene should stay in their home and others should avoid the area altogether.

Currently police and an armored truck are outside a home on the 400 block of Minerva, near University.

Stay with Patch for updates.