The Florida State Attorney’s Office revealed on Friday its intention to pursue the death penalty for a man accused of horrific crimes, including the murder of two children whose throats he allegedly slit after sexually assaulting one, before setting their home on fire.

In the early hours of November 7, Escambia County Fire-Rescue responded to a trailer home engulfed in flames on Flaxman Street, situated near Escambia High School in Pensacola.

Tragically, the bodies of two children and a dog were discovered inside the charred remains of the home.

A county news release detailed the harrowing scene: “Upon arrival, the mobile home was consumed by heavy flames and smoke, with reports indicating two children were trapped inside.”

Firefighters swiftly initiated efforts to combat the blaze, enabling them to enter the structure. Sadly, inside they found the lifeless bodies of the children and a dog.

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons later confirmed that John Henry Walston deliberately ignited the fire after committing the heinous acts, resulting in the deaths of a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old child.

“Evidence shows that John Henry Walston, Jr., assaulted one of the children before killing them both,” Simmons stated. “He then set the fire before saving himself.”

The Pensacola News Journal reported that, according to the arrest report, Walston had molested the female child “on top of her clothes” a couple of weeks before her murder because the child “considered him her ‘boyfriend.’”

On November 7, the night of the fire, Walston molested the female child again.

“After the kids went to bed, Walston stated he started to drink and began to become depressed,” the report said. “Walston stated that he hated his life and made the decision to kill the kids.”

Walston reportedly went into the living room and stabbed the male child in the neck. He then allegedly slit the little girl’s throat in the bedroom while she slept on the floor.

He then started the fire to kill himself as well but said he “couldn’t go through with it.”

The State Attorney’s Office’s release shows that Walston was indicted by a grand jury and pleaded not guilty to the charges against him:

• Two counts of first-degree homicide
• Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12
• Arson
• Animal Cruelty

Walston’s next scheduled court appearance is set for January 13, 2026.

Check back for updates.

[Feature Photo: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office]