Kevin Cichowski, a 46-year-old candidate in the Florida gubernatorial race, faces a litany of felony charges following a violent domestic standoff at a Palm Coast residence on Friday, April 10.
Authorities took Cichowski into custody after he allegedly assaulted his elderly parents, one of whom is bedridden, and threatened to “kill law enforcement” if they intervened.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) responded to a 911 call from a victim reporting an active battery. According to investigators, Cichowski struck one victim with a cane and threw a cellphone at the other to prevent them from calling for help.
The caller informed dispatchers that Cichowski was armed and had repeatedly threatened to kill both his parents and any responding officers. Deputies arriving at the scene discovered the victims barricaded in a bedroom; they were unable to flee due to the physical condition of the bedridden victim.
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Law enforcement successfully evacuated the residents before apprehending Cichowski on the home’s rear patio. Body camera footage shows the candidate being led away in handcuffs, at which point he reportedly told deputies, “Well, I was running for governor.”
Cichowski is currently being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. His charges include:
- Two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Two counts of battery on a person over 65
- Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon
- Tampering with a witness
- Two counts of robbery by sudden snatching
Following his arrest, Cichowski allegedly made suicidal statements during transport. Authorities subsequently placed him under a Baker Act protective custody order for mental health evaluation.
This is not Cichowski’s first encounter with the law. Records indicate a 2024 arrest for domestic battery by strangulation and false imprisonment. Despite his mounting legal issues, Cichowski has remained active in local politics, having previously run for Palm Coast mayor in 2021.
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Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly praised the tactical restraint shown by his team. “When a suspect has a weapon and has threatened to kill the victims and law enforcement, it’s critical that we safely de-escalate,” Staly said.
The arrest raises significant questions regarding the vetting process for political candidates in Florida. It remains unclear if Cichowski has retained legal counsel. He is currently being held without bond pending further court proceedings.
