A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly killed two children who visited his home to play with his kids. The accused, 27-year-old John Henry Walston Jr, was hosting a sleepover last Thursday when the double homicide occurred in Escambia County.
Authorities say the children, ages 7 and 9, were found dead following a fire that consumed Walston’s trailer home in Pensacola. When firefighters arrived just before 1 a.m. Friday, the residence was already engulfed in flames. Inside, responders discovered the lifeless bodies of the two children along with a dog.
Investigators later determined the blaze was not accidental. According to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, evidence showed that Walston had sexually assaulted one of the children before killing both victims, who police said were siblings.
It is said that the alleged children’s mother saw the fire and stormed into the house. However, the intense heat of the fire made it difficult to rescue her children. The woman was later hospitalised after sustaining burn injuries. Police later confirmed that the children were killed before the fire.
Walston allegedly set the home on fire in an attempt to cover up the crime. After igniting the blaze, Walston managed to escape and was later found among the injured outside. Reports did not identify Waltson’s kid(s) as injured victims.
Escambia County EMS treated three people, two adults and one child, who suffered fire-related injuries and had to receive medical treatment at a nearby hospital. Sheriff Simmons confirmed that Walston was among the two injured adults.
Walston now faces multiple charges, including two counts of premeditated murder, one count of sexual assault of a child under 12, and one count of arson. He is currently being held without bond at the Escambia County Jail.
In a statement, the sheriff’s office expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the two children, calling it “a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence”. Sheriff Simmons said, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to these children and their families during this unimaginable time.”