November 20, 2021. For the grandparents, for the cousins that were so close to Amber and Justin," Barnett said. 2023 FOX Television Stations, stabbing and wounding a police officer in neighboring Fulton County, fatally stabbed a Pentagon police officer, Tornado Watch issued for portions of north Georgia, 100% of homicides solved over last 2 years in Cobb County, police say, Boy, 16, found shot dead in Lawrenceville backyard, Clark Atlanta community holds vigil for student killed at Catholic center, Alex Murdaugh killed wife, son to buy time, prosecutor says, Hyundai, Kia owners sue over missing security feature, Cheerleader competes alone at state champs after squad quits: It felt amazing, Georgia elementary school principal charged with child cruelty, false imprisonment, I didnt realize: Woman mistakenly eats heart-shaped chip that could have won her 100K, Georgia man vanishes while on Louisiana business trip. Funeral held for firefighter, wife killed inside their Cobb County home Justin and Amber Hicks were shot multiple times inside their home last week. Lanz is facing two charges of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, home invasion, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The tampering with evidence charge is due to Lanz allegedly removing shell casings from the murder scene in an attempt to avoid his apprehension and prosecution, according to the indictment. COBB COUNTY, Ga. A grand jury has indicted a man following thedeaths of an Acworth couple last year. COBB COUNTY, Ga. A gun, ammunition, tactical backpack and a flash built to break glass are among the items police seized from a college student accused of killing a firefighter and his wife. Lanz is also accused of stabbing a Sandy Springs officer in a separate incident a day later; the wounded cop survived the attack. That home is directly around the corner and shares a backyard fence with the home where Hicks and his wife were killed earlier this week. The Sandy Springs Police Department confirmed Matthew Lanz is the younger brother of Austin William Lanz. Lanz, according to the indictment, was charged with cruelty to children for causing "cruel and excessive physical and mental pain," to the child by leaving him "alone and unsupervised for approximately 12 hours during which Jacob Hicks was unable to feed himself, change his diaper, or get the attention of his parents.". Lanz is also accused of evidence tampering for allegedly taking shell casings from the murder scene, among other charges. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Acworth's Matthew Lanz, 22, has been charged with two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, home invasion, and possession of a firearm ACWORTH, Ga. The man accused of stabbing a Sandy Springs police officer has also been arrested in the murders of a firefighter and his wife who were shot to death in Cobb County. All rights reserved. Thankfully, their son was spared and now lives with their family members. In April, Austin Lanz stabbed a police officer for the Pentagon to death in Washington, D.C. The homeowner at the time of the break-in, Phillip Brent, has told The Associated Press it was a culmination of a long harassment campaign against Brent and his then-fiancee. Example video title will go here for this video. He has since also been charged in the murders of Cherokee County firefighter Justin Hicks and his wife Amber, who were shot and killed in their home Nov. 18. In addition, access background check reports COBB COUNTY, Ga. - A Cobb County grand jury has indicted a man in the alleged killings of his new neighbors a firefighter and his wife and with cruelty to the slain couples toddler, who he allegedly left alone in the home for hours after the murders. Suspect killed in stabbing/shooting near Pentagon Tuesday that killed police officer in D.C. is 27 year old Austin Lanz of Acworth. Example video title will go here for this video. He appeared in court on Saturday. Example video title will go here for this video. The hearing is taking place in a Cobb County courtroom at 9:30 a.m. You can watch it live on 11Alive.com, the 11Alive YouTube channel or on the 11Alive+ app on Roku or FireTV. More than $69,000 was raised for the couple's funeral services and to help their son. Matthew Lanz, 22, was arrested Friday after police say he broke into a home in Sandy Springs and stabbed a police officer who responded. Matthew Lanz, 22, of Acworth, is also accused of stabbing and wounding a police officer in neighboring Fulton County in November, two days after the alleged murders. Jalen Carter booked into jail for racing in connection to deadly UGA crash, released shortly after, Timeline | TORNADO WATCH until 6am for far north Georgia, Forecast | Shower and storms increase to finish the week, Matthew Lanz, the Hicks' neighbor, has been charged, Arraignment delayed for man suspected of killing couple inside Acworth, Community vows to support Acworth 2-year-old after parents are killed in home, 'Childhood sweethearts' | Couple killed in Acworth home loved each other for most of their lives. Cobb police have since identified Lanz as the suspect in the fatal shootings of Justin Thompson Hicks and his wife, Amber Hicks, both 31. And given that it was such a heinous crime, I believe it's probably going to be devastating.". Matthew Lanz, 22, was arrested Friday after police say he broke into a home in Sandy Springs and stabbed a police officer who responded. Multiple homeowners reported burglaries before residents of a home on Cameron Glen Drive discovered an intruder inside, said Sandy Springs Police spokesman Sgt. Arrest records showed that in April this year, Austin Lanz was taken into custody on criminal trespass and burglary charges for entering his neighbor's house - the same home the Hicks recently moved into. The Washington Post reported on Austin Lanz's alleged harassment of the couple that lived in the home before the Hicks. According to the GBI, when officers made contact with Lanz, "he suddenly attacked one of the officers, stabbing him repeatedly in the back and neck area.". Officials: Suspect in Cobb County murders, police stabbing is brother of suspect in Pentagon officer attack. Barnett said there have been frustrations as the case drags on, a year now, after their deaths. 22-year-old Matthew Lanz is a suspect in the murder investigation of 31-year-old Timothy Justin Hicks and his wife, 31-year-old Amber Hicks. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Austin Lanz was later charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery of an officer for allegedly attacking deputies while being processed at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center. Lanz, who also survived, remained on the ground and continued to struggle against officers, yelling several times as the officer was bleeding. The officer who was stabbed has since recovered and returned to duty, WSB-TV reported.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPSandy Springs police have charged Lanz with 35 felony counts, including 10 each of attempted murder of a police officer, aggravated assault on a police officer, and felony obstruction.Charges in Cobb County include tampering with evidence for allegedly removing shell casings from the murder scene, WAGA-TV reported. He is accused of murdering his neighbors. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. On November 18th, we woke up to a nightmare. The 22-year-old suspect and officer both survived their injuries with Lanz now facing 35 counts in connection with the confrontation. Police say he stabbed an officer who He was their world," Amber's cousin Kristyn Bauer said. Matthew Lanz court hearing | Murder of Justin and Amber BREAKING: Georgia linebacker Jalen Carter booked, released from Athens-Clarke County Jail, Man accused of stabbing Sandy Springs officer now linked to Acworth couple murder, Paulding County deputy fired after body-slamming man into the ground, Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter booked, released from jail, Matties Call issued for 26-year-old Clayton County man, Atlanta Womens Chorus celebrating 10 years with special performance, Sign up for Atlanta News First Newsletters, According to an article in the Washington Post. Lanzs home on Delphinium Boulevard shares a backyard fence with the couples home. The Cobb County Police Department initially said hed been taken into custody, but later said they had just obtained warrants for Lanzs arrest. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Matthew Lanz, accused of stabbing a Sandy Springs police officer on Friday, has been charged in the deaths of a firefighter and his wife who were shot at their Cobb Cobb County Police said Saturday he was in custody facing two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and additional charges of home invasion and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Police said Lanz shot and killed Cherokee County Lanz is currently being held at the Fulton County Jail. "It will be like reliving it over and over and over. A grand jury handed down an indictment last week for Matthew Lanz in the deaths of firefighter Justin Hicks and his wife Amber. Their little boy was just 2 years old when Amber and Justin were killed inside their home last year. On Saturday, Cobb County police said they had warrants to charge Matthew Lanz, 22, with murder. [RELATED: Firefighter and wife murdered inside their Cobb County home, toddler son found safe]. One day later after the couple was found dead, Sandy Springs Police confronted the suspect, Lanz, during a home intrusion call - not knowing at the time he was also the suspect in the Acworth case. A hearing set for Tuesday morning will be re-scheduled due to a scheduling conflict. Police had given him a warning to stop the harassment before he was eventually arrested. He was arrested at his home in April for breaking into neighbors home then charged with assaulting two Cobb deputies trying to book him into jail pic.twitter.com/XLqdBpBsm3. 2023 Cox Media Group. Matthew Lanz, 22, was arrested on multiple charges in Fulton County and faces murder charges in Cobb County. The Cobb County Police Department said 22-year-old Matthew Lanz is a suspect in the murder investigation of 31-year-old Timothy Justin Hicks and his wife, 31-year-old Amber Hicks. He was shot by another police officer. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. In the video, a man is seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. Home intruder shot by police after stabbing Sandy Springs officer multiple times. Legal Statement. Matthew Lanz is charged with two counts of malice murder, four counts of felony murder, one count of home invasion, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, one count of cruelty to children in the second degree, and one count of tampering with evidence. According to warrants, Lanz assaulted multiple deputies, injuring two of them, as he was getting booked into jail. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Police found the couple dead inside their Acworth home around 9:30 a.m. Thursday, hours after the shootings took place. Another officer shot Lanz, Police: Stetson Bennett hid behind brick wall prior to arrest, Georgias Jalen Carter pulled from media interviews at NFL combine, Long before season, Georgia Tech president found football performance worrisome, GSU forecaster: White-collar jobs at risk as Georgia slouches toward recession, Atlantas stitch transit project wins $1.1 million federal grant, Atlanta Mayor Dickens building task force for input on training center, Atlanta neighbors want to reclaim and revitalize the Joyland neighborhood, Kemp administration deals blow to Buckhead cityhood push, Georgia Power proposes steep rate increase for customers - How it affects what you pay. Lanz, according to the indictment, was charged with cruelty to children for causing "cruel and excessive physical and mental pain," to the child by leaving him "alone and unsupervised for approximately 12 hours during which Jacob Hicks was unable to feed himself, change his diaper, or get the attention of his parents.". He then shot and killed himself. Before the stabbing and shooting, other residents of the neighborhood reported a man was trying to break into their homes. Another officer shot Lanz, who was treated at a hospital before he was taken into custody. RELATED: 'Childhood sweethearts' | Couple killed in Acworth home loved each other for most of their lives. He is accused of murdering his neighbors. The connection between the two men is also unclear. The indictment accuses him of causing their 2-year-old son physical and mental pain because the child was alone for 12 hours, "unable to feed himself, change his diaper, or get the attention of his parents." You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Records pulled by Channel 2 Action News confirmed that Lanz lived in a home on Delphinium Boulevard. A man with the same last name and address as Lanz, 27-year-old Austin Lanz, was arrested for breaking into the same home on Verbena in April. In Cobb County, the release states he is being charged with two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, home invasion, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. CNN has reached out to Lanz's court-appointed attorney for comment but has not heard back. Stannard said Justin Hicks had gunshot wounds to his head, shoulder and torso. joined the AJC in 2002 as a features writer. Many questions remain about the Cobb County killings. Legal Statement. The Hicks' 2-year-old son, Jacob, was at the home when his parents were found shot to death. It feels like it was just a clear failure of our system to help someone out who needed that help., Police say 2 found dead in Cobb County home were shot by unknown suspect Cobb police are investigating the homicide of a couple in their Acworth home. And we also discovered ammunition.. Webis 22 years old and was born on 09/19/1999. The 13-count indictment reviewed by 11Alive alleges Lanz left the child "alone and unsupervised for approximately 12 hours during which Jacob Hicks was unable to feed himself, change his diaper, or get the attention of his parents.". He also reportedly assaulted multiple deputies as he was being booked into jail. Body camera footage shows the scuffle that ensued as Lanz allegedly stabbed an officer in the back of the neck when he reached the bottom of the staircase. Amber and her husband Justin met as kids. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Records show Lanz was a resident of a neighboring property to the house where Justin and Amber Hicks were found killed in their home on Thursday. "Emotionally, very difficult. We found a gray North Face hoodie in the washing machine that was still damp, said Stannard. Amber was found still sitting on the couch. Matthew Lanz, accused of stabbing a Sandy Springs police officer on Friday, has been charged in the deaths of a firefighter and his wife who were shot at their Cobb County home earlier in the week. I wish there was a better way to address those mental health issues that people have, said Phillip Brent, who described repeated harassment directed at himself and his then-fiancee. Funeral held for firefighter, wife killed inside their Cobb County home. Jalen Carter booked into jail for racing in connection to deadly UGA crash, released shortly after, Timeline | TORNADO WATCH until 6am for far north Georgia, Forecast | Shower and storms increase to finish the week, 'Childhood sweethearts' | Couple killed in Acworth home loved each other for most of their lives, described the couple as childhood sweethearts, Suspect who allegedly killed Pentagon officer previously attacked Cobb County deputies in jail, warrants state. In addition to murder and home invasion charges, Lanz also faces a child cruelty charge for "cruel and excessive physical and mental pain" to the couple's child. Police said that several neighbors had called police about a suspicious man who was possibly burglarizing homes. After the killing of the police officer near the Pentagon, neighbors in Cobb County later told The Washington Post of how Austin Lanz, the son of their neighbors, had repeatedly stalked and harassed them, including smashing through (their) back door with a sledgehammer while they werent home. Matthew Scott Lanz, 22, was arrested Friday in Sandy Springs, Georgia, after allegedly stabbing a police officer, who was responding to a burglary in progress, according Neighbors told Channel 2 Action News the couple had recently moved into the Chestnut Hill neighborhood off Bells Ferry Road. Other officers use their Tasers and one shot Lanz twice while the injured officer bled profusely onto the carpet. 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