A shocking incident in Florida has drawn attention after a man running for governor was arrested for allegedly attacking his elderly parents and making serious threats. The case has raised concerns about domestic violence, mental health, and public safety.
Arrest of Florida Governor Candidate
Kevin Cichowski, a 46-year-old man running for Governor of Florida, has been arrested following a violent incident at a home in Palm Coast.
Police were called to the house on April 10 after receiving a 911 call reporting that he had attacked two elderly individuals inside the home.
Allegations of Assault on Elderly Parents
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Cichowski allegedly assaulted his parents, both of whom are over 65 years old.
Authorities say:
- He hit one victim with a cane
- He threw a cellphone at the other
- He allegedly threatened to kill them multiple times
The situation became even more serious when the caller told police that Cichowski had a gun and also threatened to harm law enforcement if they were contacted.
Police Response and Rescue
When deputies arrived, they found the elderly victims hiding in a bedroom. One of them was bedridden, making it difficult to escape.
Police safely removed both individuals from the house before taking Cichowski into custody without further violence. Officers acted quickly to control the situation and prevent it from getting worse.
Statements During Arrest
While being arrested, Cichowski made several unusual and concerning statements. He appeared confused and claimed he had done nothing wrong.
He also said:
- “I can’t believe this is happening”
- “Just don’t let me die”
- Claimed his father had tried to harm him earlier
During the drive to the detention facility, he reportedly made statements about wanting to die. Due to this, authorities placed him under the Baker Act, which allows temporary mental health evaluation for individuals who may be a danger to themselves or others.
Charges Filed Against Him
Cichowski is now facing multiple serious charges, including:
- Two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Two counts of battery on a person over 65
- Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon
- Witness tampering
- Robbery by sudden snatching (two counts)
He is currently being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.
Previous Legal History
Reports indicate that this is not his first run-in with the law. In 2024, Cichowski was also arrested on charges related to domestic violence, including:
- Domestic battery
- Strangulation
- False imprisonment
This history has added to the seriousness of the current case.
Authorities’ Statement
Rick Staly praised the quick response of law enforcement. He said the main priority was to safely rescue the victims and prevent a potentially deadly situation.
Officials highlighted how important it is to act quickly when weapons and threats are involved.
