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

On November 7, just before 1 a.m., Escambia County Fire-Rescue responded to a blaze at a trailer home located in the 5900 block of Flaxman Street, near Escambia High School in Pensacola. The scene was described as devastating, with flames consuming the residence.

Tragically, the firefighters discovered the lifeless bodies of two children and a dog inside the home.

“Upon arrival, the single-wide mobile home was engulfed in heavy flames and smoke, and there were reports of two children trapped inside,” stated a county news release.

“Due to the intensity of the fire, ECFR initiated firefighting efforts immediately to gain entry into the home. Once inside, the firefighters found two children and a dog had perished,” the release continued.

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons stated that the fire was intentionally set by John Henry Walston after he sexually assaulted one child and killed both 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]