Stannard said Lanz drove back to his Athens apartment after the murder. Matthew Lanz is jailed without bond in Fulton County, where he was arrested Nov. 19 in the stabbing of a Sandy Springs police officer who responded to a burglary report. He was their world," Amber's cousin Kristyn Bauer said. Justin and Amber Hicks were shot multiple times inside their home last week. 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. Sal Ortega. Our Amber & Justin have been taken from us in such a senseless act. Police said surveillance video from a neighbors camera shows Lanz in the Hicks family backyard. Barnett said Justin always fit right into their family. joined the AJC in 2002 as a features writer. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. 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. Stream it faster with our re-designed 11Alive+ app onRoku and Amazon Fire TV. "Justin was a big guy, a big teddy bear! 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. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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 Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. 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. Stannard said Justin Hicks had gunshot wounds to his head, shoulder and torso. Police said Lanz shot and killed Cherokee County 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "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. Other officers use their Tasers and one shot Lanz twice while the injured officer bled profusely onto the carpet. 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.. Stannard told the court that cellphone data shows Lanz leaving his apartment in Athens, where he was a student at the University of Georgia, at 8 p.m. on Nov. 17. Their 2-year-old son was found in the home unharmed. Lanz wasn't arrested until a day after the couple's bodies were discovered. Cellphone data also showed Lanz at the scene of the crime in Acworth around 9 p.m. Lanzs parents and the Hicks were neighbors who shared a backyard fence. Lanz has been charged with two felony counts of murder, two counts of aggravated assault, home invasion and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Timothy Justin Hicks was found on the floor right next to the couch, said detective Zackary Stannard. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. 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 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. Cherokee firefighter Justin Hicks and his wife were killed Wednesday night in their home on Verbana Drive. 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. 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. [RELATED: Firefighter and wife murdered inside their Cobb County home, toddler son found safe]. 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. Police had given him a warning to stop the harassment before he was eventually arrested. He was shot by another police officer. Legal Statement. Amber Hicks' cousin Trevor Barnett said he loved listening to her sing. A TODDLER was left with the bodies of his mom and firefighter dad for hours after an intruder killed the couple, according to police. A different man named Austin Lanz was arrested for breaking into the same Acworth home in April. 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. Matthew Lanz, 22, was arrested on multiple charges in Fulton County and faces murder charges in Cobb County. A grand jury handed down an indictment last week for Matthew Lanz in the deaths of firefighter Justin Hicks and his wife Amber. 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. Records pulled by Channel 2 Action News confirmed that Lanz lived in a home on Delphinium Boulevard. (Cobb County Sheriff's Office). Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, Seven passengers rushed to hospital after 'severe turbulence' on flight, Gabby Petito's family claim cop knew Laundrie was threat in lawsuit update, Jury inspect eerie Murdaugh murder scene where mom & son were executed, US Navy faces being totally outgunned by China in just seven years, says expert, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Justin Hicks (left) and his wife Amber (right) were found dead in November, Matthew Lanz (pictured) is accused of leaving their toddler with their bodies after killing them, Justin Hicks (pictured) was a Cherokee County firefighter, Family said Amber and Justin Hicks were childhood sweethearts, Credit: Facebook/Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services, Body camera footage shows a violent confrontation with the suspect during his arrest. 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. 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. RELATED: Bodycam video released | Man stabs Sandy Springs officer after allegedly murdering couple day before. A month later in Acworth, Amber and Justin Hicks closed on the home on Verbena Drive that Austin Lanz was accused of breaking into. On Saturday, Cobb County police said they had warrants to charge Matthew Lanz, 22, with murder. Its unclear what relationship, if any, Matthew Lanz had with the Hicks family and police have not determined a motive for their murders. It was owned by another couple at that time. Justin was a firefighter in Cherokee County and was excited about recently finishing a paramedic training program. He is accused of murdering his neighbors. "[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. The Hicks' 2-year-old son, Jacob, was at the home when his parents were found shot to death. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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. Its the same one investigators believe they found in the washing machine at Lanzs apartment in Athens. Matthew Lanz (Sandy Springs Police Department). WebMatthew Lanz in Georgia. 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. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Justin served as a firefighter in Cherokee County. Currently, Matthew lives in Judith Johnson Alisa Yang, and Elizabeth Shortland. In 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 of Acworth was being held at the Fulton County Jail facing multiple charges related to a Sandy Springs break-in. The officer who was stabbed has since recovered and returned to duty. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 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. Matthew Lanz, 22, was arrested Friday after police say he broke into a home in Sandy Springs and stabbed a police officer who responded. Amber Hicks had gunshot wounds to her leg, wrist and face. 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). 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. The couple and their 2-year-old son shared a backyard fence with Lanz in Acworth, Georgia, a town located northwest of Atlanta. 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. Its unclear what relationship, if any, Matthew Lanz had with the Hicks family and police have not released a motive for their slayings. 11Alive reached out to the Cobb County District Attorney's Office for comment and has not heard back as of Thursday evening. Justin Hicks had served with the Cherokee County Fire Department for six years. Family members said they were childhood sweethearts, growing up down the street from each other. ACWORTH, GA Authorities in Georgia arrested a 22-year-old suspect accused of stabbing a Sandy Springs Police officer multiple times in November who is also accused of having killed a firefighter and their wife one day prior to the stabbing incident.. On November 18th at approximately 9:30 a.m., police in Cobb County discovered the bodies of The couple,Justin Hicks, 31, and Amber Hicks, 31, were killed in their new home back in November. "It will be like reliving it over and over and over. The 22-year-old suspect and officer both survived their injuries with Lanz now facing 35 counts in connection with the confrontation. 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 Sandy Springs shooting marked the end of a string of early morning break-ins in a neighborhood off Heards Ferry Road. Police were conducting a search of the home on Delphinium Boulevard on Friday night. Matthew Lanz, 22, was shot twice by officers in Sandy Springs on Friday. 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. 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. Funeral held for firefighter, wife killed inside their Cobb County home. 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.". 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. Their bodies were found in November 2021 after prosecutors allege Lanz broke in and shot and killed them both. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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