The Cobb County Police Department has arrested a suspect in the double homicide of a Cherokee County firefighter and his wife.

Suspect in homicide of firefighter also charged in stabbing of police officer

November 20, 2021
1 min read

The Cobb County Police Department has arrested a suspect in the double homicide of a Cherokee County firefighter and his wife.

Firefighter Justin Hicks and his wife, Amber, were found dead in their home in Acworth shortly after 9:30 a.m. Nov. 18.

The suspect is 22-year-old Matthew Lanz, who was shot by Sandy Springs police Friday morning after Lanz allegedly stabbed a police officer multiple times during a burglary.

Cobb County police obtained warrants to arrest Lanz. He is 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 and is currently at the Fulton County Jail on charges related to the burglary and stabbing in Sandy Springs.

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In Sandy Springs, Lanz faces the following charges:

• 1 count of burglary in the 1st degree for the Cameron Ridge Drive incident
• 1 count of burglary in the 1st degree for the Cameron Glen Drive incident
• 1 count of home invasion in the 1st degree
• 10 counts of felony obstruction
• 10 counts of aggravated assault on a police officer
• 10 counts of attempted murder on a police officer
• 1 count of possession of a knife during the commission of a felony
• 1 count of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit

You can read more about the double-homicide in Cobb County here, and more about the Sandy Springs burglary here.

⚠️ Reminder: Crime articles contain only charges and information from police reports and law enforcement statements. Suspects and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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