Democrat candidate for Florida governor arrested for beating, threatening to kill elderly parents
A Democratic hopeful for Florida governor is now better known for a mugshot than any campaign message — after a jaw-dropping arrest.
Kevin Cichowski, 46, had thrown his hat into the already crowded race to replace Governor Ron DeSantis. But Friday, his campaign took a shocking turn when he was hit with a laundry list of charges — including aggravated battery, witness tampering, and robbery — following what authorities describe as a violent incident inside a Palm Coast home.
And the alleged victims? His own elderly parents.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the situation escalated early Friday morning after a frantic 911 call. Deputies say Cichowski became aggressive — allegedly striking one parent with a cane, throwing a cellphone at the other, and even brandishing a firearm.
The caller reportedly told dispatchers that Cichowski threatened to kill them multiple times — and warned he would kill law enforcement if they were contacted. By the time deputies arrived, the victims were barricaded in a bedroom — frightened and unable to escape, with one bedridden.
After safely removing the victims, deputies arrested Cichowski without further incident. But the drama continued. Bodycam footage reportedly shows him claiming he was the victim, accusing his parents of mental health issues and even alleging his father tried to kill him. “I haven’t done anything wrong… This is insane,” he said as he was taken into custody.
Authorities say things escalated again on the way to jail, when Cichowski allegedly made suicidal statements — leading officers to invoke Florida’s Baker Act for an involuntary psychiatric evaluation.
Kevin Cichowski, 46, had thrown his hat into the already crowded race to replace Governor Ron DeSantis. But Friday, his campaign took a shocking turn when he was hit with a laundry list of charges — including aggravated battery, witness tampering, and robbery — following what authorities describe as a violent incident inside a Palm Coast home.
And the alleged victims? His own elderly parents.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the situation escalated early Friday morning after a frantic 911 call. Deputies say Cichowski became aggressive — allegedly striking one parent with a cane, throwing a cellphone at the other, and even brandishing a firearm.
The caller reportedly told dispatchers that Cichowski threatened to kill them multiple times — and warned he would kill law enforcement if they were contacted. By the time deputies arrived, the victims were barricaded in a bedroom — frightened and unable to escape, with one bedridden.
After safely removing the victims, deputies arrested Cichowski without further incident. But the drama continued. Bodycam footage reportedly shows him claiming he was the victim, accusing his parents of mental health issues and even alleging his father tried to kill him. “I haven’t done anything wrong… This is insane,” he said as he was taken into custody.
Authorities say things escalated again on the way to jail, when Cichowski allegedly made suicidal statements — leading officers to invoke Florida’s Baker Act for an involuntary psychiatric evaluation.
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