Escambia Man Kills Two Children Before Setting Mobile Home On Fire
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
November 10, 2025
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – The Escambia County, Florida Sheriff’s Office has arrested John Henry Walston, Jr., who they say killed two children before intentionally setting fire to a mobile home.
Walston is accused of killing 9-year-old Vayden Orum and 7-year-old Rayden Smith after he assaulted one of them.
The sheriff’s office says Walston was able to escape the fire after setting lighting the trailer on fire. He was one of the two adults who received medical treatment at a hospital afterwards, along with one child.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on the incident from Sheriff Chip Simmons. He said in part “I don’t know what else I can say about this terrible event except for please hug your children.”
Witnesses say the children’s mother ran into the trailer while it was on fire. She was the other adult taken to a local hospital to be treated for her injuries.
“She went into the trailer trying to get them. That’s a mother’s love,” said neighbor John Wenzel. “I mean, the trailer was totally involved inside. That’s why she’s in the Mobile Burn Center. She went inside the house trying to get her kids, but too hot. They finally got her out of there.”
Smith said the two children were staying over at Walston’s during the incident.
According to law enforcement, Tyler Smith, the father of Rayden Smith and stepfather of Vayden Orum, has known Walston for a few years.
Jail records show Walston’s home address is in the area of Flaxman Street. Neighbors say he lived in the trailer with his own family.
Walston has been charged with the following:
Two counts of premeditated murder
One count of sexual assault on a victim under 12
One count of arson
He’s also accused of killing an animal after a dog was found dead inside the home, too.
Walston is in Escambia County Jail without bond. His first court date is set for Nov. 26.
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