A tragic fire at the Grand Oak Mobile Home Park in Pensacola has led to the arrest of a 27-year-old man accused of killing two children before setting the home ablaze.
Authorities identified the suspect as John Henry Walston Jr., who now faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder, sexual assault, and arson. Investigators say Walston allegedly sexually assaulted one of the children, killed both victims, and then set fire to the trailer in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.
The victims, identified as 9-year-old Vayden Orum and 7-year-old Rayden Smith, were found dead inside the burned home after firefighters extinguished the flames late Monday night. The children’s mother was critically injured while attempting to rescue them and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of severe burns.
According to investigators, Walston was a longtime friend of the children’s father, Tyler Smith, and had agreed to watch the children that evening.
“This is a devastating and senseless tragedy,” said Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. “Two innocent children lost their lives in the most unimaginable way. Our community mourns with this family, and we will ensure justice is served.”
Walston was taken into custody shortly after the incident and remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond. He faces charges of:
Two counts of First-Degree Murder
One count of Sexual Battery on a Minor
One count of Arson Resulting in Death
One count of Tampering with Evidence
The investigation is ongoing, with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
A memorial has formed outside the mobile home, where community members have placed flowers, candles, and stuffed animals to honor the memory of Vayden and Rayden. A fundraising effort has also been launched to support their grieving family.