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Man Charged With Killing Two Children, After Sexually Assaulting One, Setting Trailer On Fire
November 9, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says two children were killed before a mobile home was set on fire early Friday morning.
Deputies have charged 27-year-old John Henry Walston Jr. with two counts of premeditated murder, one count of sexual assault on a victim under 12, one count of arson, and animal abuse.
“Our investigators have confirmed that the tragic fire on November 7th, in which a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old were found deceased was intentionally set after the children were killed,” ECSO said. “Evidence shows that John Henry Walston, Jr. assaulted one of the children before killing them both. He then set the fire before saving himself.”
The fully involved mobile home fire was reported at 12:48 a.m. at Grand Oak Mobile Home Park on Flaxman Street, in the block behind the Escambia High School campus. Two children and a dog were found deceased inside the home. Walston, along with another child and adult, were transported to area hospital for treatment. The home was a total loss.
The Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives is investigating the cause of the fire with assistance from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“I don’t know what I can say about this terrible event, other than hug your children,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said Saturday, his voice breaking with emotion.
Comments
18 Responses to “Man Charged With Killing Two Children, After Sexually Assaulting One, Setting Trailer On Fire”
“everyone wants to string this dude up,”
Not me. I want him placed in suspended animation until he can be thawed as a non murderer or the equipment fails or he is proven innocent after all.
All are reserved a place in Hell until they are saved.
John 3:18
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
DavidHuieGreen, your awful quick to assume his heart. Has he done something beyond human understanding? Absolutely. He can repent. Maybe he will maybe he won’t.
I’m asking this because everyone wants to string this dude up, including me. However, if we are calling ourselves Christians, this is something that will truly test your faith.
great
“DavidHuieGreen
What if he asks for forgiveness of his sins?”
Depends on repentance. Asking alone doesn’t suffice.
(“Forgive me so I can continue killing,” wouldn’t get it.)
Unlike human judges, we are told God sees the heart.
It’s an old question. Paul was a murderer but repented. Judas Iscariot repented what he had done, but Jesus said he was a devil.
Do you see any signs of remorse or repentance?
Some people deserve to be tortured. Execution is too merciful.
Rodney I am sorry for your loss as well as the judicial system… too bad we can’t roll back in time to prevent such horrible things to our children but to handle the defendant our own self as I’m sure you wish you could … at least a couple minutes anyway … as far as forgiving and asking the lord to save your soul I believe you can ask all you want but what this guy did there is only Hell waiting for him . Hopefully the other inmates will make him there you know what before they send him on to the Lake of Fire …
Godspeed and may this children family have strength to keep on at this difficult time
Mike E
@DavidHuieGreen
What if he asks for forgiveness of his sins? Is he still doomed for Hell fire from a perfect judge?
Hope your cellmates learn of your charges!
If you think THAT fire was hot, wait for the one reserved for you for eternity by the perfect judge.
How hateful and weak do you have to be to do this? I pray this demon gets his due sooner than later. Bless these children and their families. I cannot imagine their pain. Praying for them.
I pray for the family in this horrible loss and no words or gestures can ease the pain of the loss
A little over two years ago we suffered a similar loss of a grandson. To add insult to injury the defendant will be sentenced next week with a maximum penalty of 10 years, after being charged with second degree manslaughter. The old cliche of letting the system work is of no comfort, as the system seems to let us down more often than not.
As sheriff Chip Simmons said, “Hug your children”.
They will kill people like him in prison. He is going to die a horrible death in prison
There will be justice and it won’t come from prison , the ECSD or the court system downtown . There will be justice !
Death Penalty and nothing less, we need a speedy trial.
Those poor babies. Praying justice will find a way.
There is no place hot enough in Hell for him. I am sure he has a tragic back story of his own, but that is beside the point. Pure evil has a hold on him.
Evil. Death Penalty.
Wow. Those poor babies. Just when you thought humanity couldn’t get more horrible. May he get what he truly deserves via prison justice.