Investigators in Florida say a 27-year-old man intentionally set a tragic mobile home fire that left two children dead after he killed both children.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, John Henry Walston Jr., 27, is charged with two counts of premeditated murder, one count of sexual assault of a child under 12, and one count of arson. He is being held without bond.
Two children, ages 7 and 9, along with a dog, were found dead after the mobile home fire in Pensacola early Friday morning. When Escambia County Fire Rescue arrived just before 1 a.m., the home was already fully engulfed in flames.
Sheriff Chip Simmons said investigators determined Walston sexually assaulted one of the children, killed both, and then set the home on fire. After starting the blaze, Walston ran out to safety.
“This is a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence. Our thoughts and prayers go out to these children and their families during this unimaginable time,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Fire Rescue spokesman Davis Wood said Escambia County EMS treated two adults and one child who were outside the mobile home when crews arrived. All three were taken to nearby hospitals with fire-related injuries.
Simmons confirmed Walston was one of the injured adults.
The mobile home was declared a total loss.
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