Austin William Lanz, 27, a resident of Acworth, Georgia, is accused of stabbing and killing a Pentagon Police Officer, authorities say. The couple and their 2-year-old son shared a backyard fence with Lanz in Acworth, Lanz is also accused of evidence tampering for allegedly taking shell casings from the murder scene, among other charges. Court records in Fulton County show the case is still pending, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.GEORGIA SUSPECT IN COP'S STABBING IS NOW LINKED TO TWO MURDERS, AUTHORITIES SAY. Police were conducting a search of the home on Delphinium Boulevard on Friday night. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Thankfully, their son was spared and now lives with their family members. Amber and her husband Justin met as kids. 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. Matthew Lanz is accused of killing Justin and Amber Hicks in their Acworth home on Nov. 17. 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. 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. Additionally, police confirmed Matthew Lanz is the brother of Austin Lanz, a 27-year-old man who was shot and killed by law enforcement in Washington, D.C. in August after stabbing a Pentagon Police officer to death. Associated Press that the system failed to help the troubled young man who was harassing them. 2023 Cox Media Group. Police were investigating break-ins in the nearby city of Sandy Springs on November 19 when they got a call about another home intrusion. Their bodies were found in November 2021 after prosecutors allege Lanz broke in and shot and killed them both. "I'm not sure we could ever give him enough love, or do enough for him for what he's going to have to go through," Barnett said. Home intruder shot by police after stabbing Sandy Springs officer multiple times Police said that several neighbors had called police about a suspicious man who was possibly burglarizing homes. The girl could sing, it was amazing," he said. And we also discovered ammunition.. We cant understand it, and we are still as a family, and as a community processing it. 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. 11Alive reached out to the Cobb County District Attorney's Office for comment and has not heard back as of Thursday evening. 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, according to reports. UGA star charged in deadly crash turns himself in, released shortly after, records show, Officers, command staff resign after south Georgia police chief arrested by GBI, Florida personal injury attorney accused of stealing more than $840K from clients, 9 elementary school students sickened by unknown substance at metro Atlanta school, UGA football staffer had blood alcohol level twice the legal limit before crash that killed 2. Matthew Lanz, 22, was arrested on multiple charges in Fulton County and faces murder charges in Cobb County. Their families said this has been a really hard year for them coming to terms with what happened while bracing for the suspect to go on trial. Their 2-year-old son was unharmed. Market data provided by Factset. Market data provided by Factset. 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." Neighbors told Channel 2 Action News the couple had recently moved into the Chestnut Hill neighborhood off Bells Ferry Road. of Cobb County. or redistributed. Officers used their Tasers and shot Lanz twice before he was taken into custody. All rights reserved. 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 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 facing two charges of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, home invasion, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. WebMatthew Lanz in Georgia. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! In Matthew Lanz Lanz, who also survived, remained on the ground and continued to struggle against officers, yelling several times as the officer was bleeding. Example video title will go here for this video. Sandy Springs police said their officer was stabbed six times, with one of the wounds directly in the back of his neck. Another officer shot Lanz, who was treated at the hospital before being taken into custody. Family and friends described the couple as childhood sweethearts who grew up down the street from each other. Their little boy was just 2 years old when Amber and Justin were killed inside their home last year. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Austin Lanz was arrested in April 2021 in connection with a break-in at a home that shares a back fence with his. When police found the child, he was physically unharmed. In August, Austin Lanz ambushed and stabbed a Pentagon police officer to death and was then shot and killed by police. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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 Hicks family just moved into the home on Verbena Drive in September. 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), UGA star charged in deadly crash turns himself in, released shortly after, records show, Officers, command staff resign after south Georgia police chief arrested by GBI, Florida personal injury attorney accused of stealing more than $840K from clients, 9 elementary school students sickened by unknown substance at metro Atlanta school, UGA football staffer had blood alcohol level twice the legal limit before crash that killed 2. According to warrants, Lanz assaulted multiple deputies, injuring two of them, as he was getting booked into jail. Investigators said the attack on the officer was unprovoked. "She sang like an angel. Matthew Lanz of Acworth is currently in the Fulton County Jail and facing multiple charges related to a Sandy Springs break-in. 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. Barnett added their families have come together to support Amber and Justin's precious boy and each other as they prepare for Lanz to stand trial in connection to their deaths. Matthew Lanz, 22, is accused of breaking into a home on Verbena Drive in Acworth some time between Nov. 17 and Nov. 18 and killing Justin and Amber Hicks. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Credit: Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services, An organizer of a GoFund for Justin & Hicks Memorial Expenses asks for support and prayers for this little boy & this family.. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. The home was sold a few months later to Cherokee County firefighter Timothy Justin Hicks and Amber Hicks, both 31. "[Justin] has always been recognized as a happy, funny, loved by many kind of guy," Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim Prather said in a statement following his death. Their 2-year-old son was found in the home unharmed. The connection between the two men is also unclear. Matthew Lanz, 22, was arrested Friday in the stabbing of a Sandy Springs police officer. According to a booking report from the Cobb County Sheriffs Office, Austin Lanz lived at the same address as his brother but its unclear whether they lived at this house on Delphinium Boulevard at the same time. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Legal Statement. 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. [RELATED: Firefighter and wife murdered inside their Cobb County home, toddler son found safe]. Justin Hicks worked with Cherokee Fire and Emergency Services for more than six years, police said. They had their whole life ahead of them, and they leave behind a precious little boy.". 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. Justin Hicks had served with the Cherokee County Fire Department for six years. Police found the couple dead inside their Acworth home around 9:30 a.m. Thursday, hours after the shootings took place. 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. Our Amber & Justin have been taken from us in such a senseless act. 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.In the 13-count indictment Thursday, Matthew Lanz was charged with malice murder killing with the intent to do so of the Hickses on Nov. 17. According to an article in the Washington Post, Austin Lanz reportedly terrorized the couple in Acworth. Police said surveillance video from a neighbors camera shows Lanz in the Hicks family backyard. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Channel 2 Action News has confirmed that Lanz lived next door to the Hicks family in Acworth. "Emotionally, very difficult. Police arrested Matthew Lanz, 22, after he allegedly broke into another home in Sandy Springs on Friday. [TIMELINE: What led up to double murder of Cherokee County firefighter, wife?]. At one point, Lanz had duct-taped a massive cardboard sign on the homes front door that said, cryptically, on one side: Im done wondering for real and Wut is the point of that on the other. 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. [RELATED: Firefighter and wife murdered inside their Cobb County home, Their bodies were found in their home the following day. 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. A grand jury handed down an indictment last week for Matthew Lanz in the deaths of firefighter Justin Hicks and his wife Amber. 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. Currently, Matthew lives in Judith Johnson Alisa Yang, and Elizabeth Shortland. Lanz was last in court on Oct. 26 and does not have another court date scheduled in Cobb County. Sal Ortega. While in custody, police identified Matthew Lanz as the same person who burglarized a home and fatally shot Justin and Amber Hicks, both 31, in Acworth the day before. Matthew Lanz is accused of killing Justin and Amber Hicks in their Acworth home on Nov. 17. Justin served as a firefighter in Cherokee County. They confirmed they took a pistol, but left the magazine and ammunition at his apartment, said Stannard. 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. Police found the gun at his parents home. Matthew Lanz 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. Cherokee firefighter Justin Hicks and his wife were killed Wednesday night in their home on Verbana Drive. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 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.". 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." 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. Court records in Fulton County show the case is still pending. Webis 22 years old and was born on 09/19/1999. Barnett said Justin always fit right into their family. Channel 2s Chris Jose was the only reporter in a Cobb County courtroom on Wednesday to hear the testimony from a Cobb police detective. 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. Prior to being arrested for entering the home, Austin Lanz had been given a warning for allegedly "leaving inappropriate photographs and notes in the mailbox of said victim's residence.". 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. 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