ATLANTA, Ga. — A man has been convicted for the murders of his neighbors in a violent incident in Acworth that shocked the community four years ago. Matthew Lanz received a guilty verdict on multiple charges related to the November 2021 deaths of Justin and Amber Hicks.
The jury found Lanz guilty of all counts, including two counts of malice murder, four counts of felony murder, home invasion, aggravated assault, and tampering with evidence. Additionally, he was found guilty of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and second-degree cruelty to children. The verdict was delivered in a high-profile case marked by emotional testimonies and intense courtroom debates.
Justin Hicks, a dedicated firefighter for Cherokee County, along with his wife, an audiology assistant, was found dead in their home. Their two-year-old son was asleep upstairs during the tragic event but remained unharmed, tragically left alone for hours before the discovery of his parents’ bodies. This factor drew attention to the profound impact of the crime on the young child’s life.
Prosecutors highlighted Lanz’s actions immediately following the shooting. A day after the murders, he attacked a Sandy Springs police officer during a burglary and was subsequently shot by another officer. These violent incidents painted a chilling picture of Lanz’s behavior during the chaotic aftermath.
Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Lanz had previously lived on a property adjacent to the Hicks’ residence. Court records revealed a disturbing family history; Lanz’s brother, Austin, had a prior conviction for breaking into the same Acworth home and had been involved in a fatal incident in Washington, D.C., where he killed a Pentagon police officer before taking his own life. This background accentuated the gravity of the case and the lingering legacy of violence.
As the trial unfolded, prosecutors scrutinized Lanz’s online search history leading up to the incident, which included searches that raised alarm bells, such as those related to blood and ballistics. In contrast, the defense maintained that no physical evidence directly linked Lanz to the Hicks’ home and argued that the surveillance footage available was insufficiently clear to confirm his presence.
With the guilty verdict delivered, the court scheduled sentencing for the following day. Community members have expressed relief at the verdict but remain haunted by the events of that fateful day. The sentencing will mark a significant moment as the families involved seek closure from the tragedy that forever altered their lives.
As the community struggles to heal, the case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding gun violence and its impact on innocent lives.