Their 2-year-old son was unharmed. Before the stabbing and shooting, other residents of the neighborhood reported a man was trying to break into their homes. Its unclear what relationship, if any, Matthew Lanz had with the Hicks family and police have not released a motive for their slayings. 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." ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) - Matthew Lanz has now been charged with the murders of an Acworth couple in their home on Wednesday night, according to the Cobb County Police Department. Find Matthew Lanz in Acworth, GA and view their phone number, full address, relatives, and public records. Police had given him a warning to stop the harassment before he was eventually arrested. On Saturday, Cobb County police said they had warrants to charge Matthew Lanz, 22, with murder. Back in August, after stabbing officer George Gonzalez, 27-year-old Austin Lanz used the officers service weapon to kill himself outside the headquarters of the U.S. military, the FBI Washington field office said. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Legal Statement. 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." This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Matthew Lanz, accused of stabbing a Sandy Springs police officer on Friday, has been charged in the deaths of a firefighter and his wife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. Matthew Lanz, 22, was arrested Friday after police say he broke into a home in Sandy Springs and stabbed a police officer who responded. RELATED: Bodycam video released | Man stabs Sandy Springs officer after allegedly murdering couple day before. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. Police said Saturday that Matthew Lanz, the 22-year-old suspect in the stabbing of a Sandy Springs officer during a home intrusion on "They loved everybody. A different man named Austin Lanz was arrested for breaking into the same Acworth home in April. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The Washington Post reported on Austin Lanz's alleged harassment of the couple that lived in the home before the Hicks. "She had probably the biggest heart of any person I've ever met.". WebMatthew Lanz in Georgia. 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, was shot twice by officers in Sandy Springs on Friday. ACWORTH, Ga, (AP) Investigators say they believe a man charged with stabbing a suburban Atlanta police officer also shot and killed a firefighter and his wife in a neighboring county. They are also asking residents that live in the vicinity to check their door bell cameras or exterior surveillance cameras for anyone suspicious captured Friday, Nov. 19 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.. RELATED: Suspect who allegedly killed Pentagon officer previously attacked Cobb County deputies in jail, warrants state. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]. Home intruder shot by police after stabbing Sandy Springs officer multiple times. He was rescued by police unharmed. 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 Their bodies were found in their home the following day. Example video title will go here for this video. Lanzs home on Delphinium Boulevard shares a backyard fence with the couples home. Sal Ortega. 2023 Cox Media Group. Justin was a firefighter in Cherokee County and was excited about recently finishing a paramedic training program. He was their world," Amber's cousin Kristyn Bauer said. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Staff writer Tyler Wilkins and data specialist Jennifer Peebles contributed to this report. 11Alive reached out to the Cobb County District Attorney's Office for comment and has not heard back as of Thursday evening. Matthew Lanz, 22, broke into Justins and Amber Hicks home in the Atlanta suburb of Acworth on Wednesday night and shot them dead when their 2-year-old son was at the home, according to a police statement. Prior to encountering Lanz at a home on Cameron Glen Drive, Sandy Springs PD said multiple residents in the area called police to report home intrusions. 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. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Its the same one investigators believe they found in the washing machine at Lanzs apartment in Athens. On November 18th, we woke up to a nightmare. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. In April, Austin Lanz stabbed a police officer for the Pentagon to death in Washington, D.C. Lanz is facing two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, home invasion and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, Cobb police said. Police say he stabbed an officer who responded. 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, Lanz brothers had history of crime at Acworth home before couple's murder, records show, Bodycam video released | Man stabs Sandy Springs officer after allegedly murdering couple day before. Cherokee firefighter Justin Hicks and his wife were killed Wednesday night in their home on Verbana Drive. Court records showed that Austin Lanz had open criminal cases in Cobb on several charges, including aggravated battery against an officer, terroristic threats and burglary. The couple,Justin Hicks, 31, and Amber Hicks, 31, were killed in their new home back in November. Matthew Lanz, who stabbed a police officer multiple times in Sandy Springs on Friday, lived next door to the couple who were murdered in their Acworth home, according to police. The man accused in the couple's deaths also allegedly stabbed a cop before being shot in a scuffle that was caught in body camera footage. ACWORTH, Ga. The families of Amber and Justin Hicks are calling for justice one year after the Acworth couple was killed in their home with their 2-year-old inside. Stannard testified that Lanz denied he did it, but his parents saw the gun allegedly used in the murder. COBB COUNTY, Ga. A grand jury has indicted a man following thedeaths of an Acworth couple last year. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]. Lanz, who also survived, remained on the ground and continued to struggle against officers, yelling several times as the officer was bleeding. 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. 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. Matthew Lanz, Austins younger brother by five years, reportedly decided to get vengeance for his brothers death just months after Austins attack on Officer Gonzalez. Sandy Spring Police said Saturday afternoon that Lanz is being held at the Fulton County Jail where he's facing 10 counts of felony obstruction, 10 counts of attempted murder and 10 counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, as well as additional charges of burglary, home invasion and carrying a concealed weapon without permit. 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. Family members said they were childhood sweethearts, growing up down the street from each other. The indictment in Cobb County lists charges against Matthew Lanz for 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. The families of Amber and Justin Hicks said this has been a hard year for them, coming to terms with what happened while bracing for the suspect to go on trial. Amber was found still sitting on the couch. Stannard said Lanz drove back to his Athens apartment after the murder. News happens fast. We found a gray North Face hoodie in the washing machine that was still damp, said Stannard. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. (Cobb County Sheriff's Office). RELATED: Lanz brothers had history of crime at Acworth home before couple's murder, records show, The Hicks' 2-year-old son, Jacob, was at the home when his parents were found shot to death. Justin Hicks had served with the Cherokee County Fire Department for six years. 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. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Isnt it time we heard from UGAs Kirby Smart? The break-in was the culmination of months of Austin Lanz sending harassing and threatening notes to the previous homeowners on Verbena Drive, according to the Associated Press. The connection between the two men is also unclear. Matthew Lanz, 22, was arrested Friday after police say he broke into a home in Sandy Springs and stabbed a police officer who responded. 380 Shares A Georgia man suspected of killing a couple in their Acworth home has been arrested, but he didnt go down without a fight, according to police. accused of stabbing a Sandy Springs police officer on Friday, Suspect in Cobb homicides, officers stabbing faces 43 charges in 2 metro Atlanta counties, of a GoFund for Justin & Hicks Memorial Expenses, Class 7A blog: Wheeler-McEachern boys game headlines quarterfinals. 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. In the video, a man is seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. "He was always a highly motivated, energetic individual who deeply loved his job as a firefighter and consistently worked to do better and be better every day.". Another officer shot Lanz, who was treated at a hospital before he was taken into custody. 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. 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. joined the AJC in 2002 as a features writer. 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, WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta facebook feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta twitter feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta instagram feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta youtube feed(Opens a new window). Police said surveillance video from a neighbors camera shows Lanz in the Hicks family backyard. According to an article in the Washington Post, Austin Lanz reportedly terrorized the couple in Acworth. Lanz is currently being held at the Fulton County Jail. Investigators said the attack on the officer was unprovoked. For the grandparents, for the cousins that were so close to Amber and Justin," Barnett said. 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 Above video: Your Tuesday headlinesMARIETTA, Ga. (AP) 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, news outlets reported.Matthew Lanz, 22, of Acworth, is Matthew Lanz is accused of killing Justin and Amber Hicks in their Acworth home on Nov. 17. The same man is also accused of stabbing a Sandy Springs officer in a separate incident a day later; the wounded cop survived the attack. Justin served as a firefighter in Cherokee County. 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 Matthew Lanz is accused of killing Justin and Amber Hicks in their Acworth home on Nov. 17. Police said they found the couples 2-year-old son inside the home, but that he was unharmed and is now with family members. Matthew Lanz, the Hicks' neighbor, has been charged with the couples murder but their families said the build-up to his trial has been painful. Justin and Amber Hicks were shot multiple times inside their home last week. The home was sold a few months later to Cherokee County firefighter Timothy Justin Hicks and Amber Hicks, both 31. The Fulton County Sheriffs Office told Channel 2 Action News that Matthew Lanz lived directly around the corner from the home where Hicks and his wife were killed earlier this week. Amber also served her community as an audiologist assistant who worked with seniors. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. He appeared in court on Saturday. 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. The FOX 5 Storm Team is monitoring storms moving into Georgia from Alabama that have prompted a portion of north Georgia to be under a Tornado Watch until 6 a.m. Barnett said there have been frustrations as the case drags on, a year now, after their deaths. Records show that Lanz is currently being held in the Fulton County Jail on multiple charges including criminal attempt to commit murder, aggravated assault and obstruction of law enforcement officers. When police found the child, he was physically unharmed. The 22-year-old suspect and officer both survived their injuries with Lanz now facing 35 counts in connection with the confrontation. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Barnett said Justin always fit right into their family. A day 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. Matthew Lanz, 22, is also accused of stabbing of a Sandy Springs, Georgia, police officer in November, two days after the alleged murders. It was owned by another couple at that time. Channel 2s Chris Jose was the only reporter in a Cobb County courtroom on Wednesday to hear the testimony from a Cobb police detective. Neighbors told Channel 2 Action News the couple had recently moved into the Chestnut Hill neighborhood off Bells Ferry Road. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. And given that it was such a heinous crime, I believe it's probably going to be devastating.". At the time that Austin Lanz was killed, the previous owners of the home on Verbena Drive told the Associated Press that the system failed to help the troubled young man who was harassing them. He remains at the Fulton County Jail as of Saturday. 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.". Watch newscasts, breaking news streams and get the latest sports, weather and VERIFY content -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A month later in Acworth, Amber and Justin Hicks closed on the home on Verbena Drive that Austin Lanz was accused of breaking into. Funeral held for firefighter, wife killed inside their Cobb County home. In 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. 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. He is scheduled for a first appearance in court in Fulton County on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. over the stabbing incident. Sandy Springs authorities are asking anyone with additional information on this case to contact Detective Needham at CNeedham@SandySpringsGa.Gov or by calling 770-551-2563. The couple,Justin Hicks, 31, and Amber Hicks, 31, were killed in their home in November of 2021. 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. Matthew Lanz of Acworth was being held at the Fulton County Jail facing multiple charges related to a Sandy Springs break-in. Police found the couple dead inside their Acworth home around 9:30 a.m. Thursday, hours after the shootings took place. Its unclear what relationship, if any, Matthew Lanz had with the Hicks family and police have not determined a motive for their murders. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Example video title will go here for this video. [TIMELINE: What led up to double murder of Cherokee County firefighter, wife?]. 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matthew lanz acworth, ga