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A Democrat running to become Florida's next governor was arrested after he beat up two elderly people and threatened to kill them, police say.
Kevin Cichowski, 46, was charged with multiple counts of aggravated battery, tampering with a witness and robbery on Friday, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
Cichowski is listed as a Democratic candidate for governor with the Florida Division of Elections and previously ran for Palm Coast mayor in 2021.
His campaign website appeared to be down on Monday. The Daily Mail contacted Cichowski for comment.
Police received a report Friday morning that Cichowski had allegedly battered two elderly victims, believed to be his parents, inside their Palm Coast home.
He allegedly hit one with a cane and threw a cellphone at the other. Police also said he had a gun.
'The 911 caller, who was one of the victims, further reported the suspect, Kevin Cichowski, had threatened to kill them multiple times and stated he would kill law enforcement if they were called,' the Flagler County Sheriff's Office said.
When deputies arrived at the residence, they found the two victims hiding in a bedroom and reported that they could not leave the home because one of the victims was bedridden.
Kevin Cichowski, 46, is listed as a Democratic candidate for governor with the Florida Division of Elections and previously ran for Palm Coast mayor in 2021
Cichowski was charged with multiple counts of aggravated battery, tampering with a witness and robbery on Friday
After the victims were safely evacuated, police confronted Cichowski and arrested him.
In body camera footage, Cichowski claimed his parents were going through a mental health problem and that his father tried to kill him.
'I haven't done anything wrong,' Cichowski said as officers escorted him to a patrol vehicle. 'This is insane.'
While being transported to the detention facility, police said Cichowski made suicidal statements and was placed into protective custody under the Baker Act.
The Baker Act allows for involuntary, emergency mental health examination and temporary detention up to 72 hours for individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others.
Cichowski was charged with 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, and two counts of robbery by sudden snatching.
'When responding to a situation where a suspect has a weapon and has threatened to kill the victims and law enforcement, it's critical that we do everything we can to safely de-escalate the situation and quickly rescue the victims from immediate danger,' said Sheriff Rick Staly.
'I commend our deputies, RTCC analysts, and the 911 dispatchers for working together for a safe resolution and arrest the suspect before the situation escalated to a violent ending.'
He allegedly hit one of his elderly parents with a cane and threw a cellphone at the other
While being transported to the detention facility, police said Cichowski made suicidal statements and was placed into protective custody under the Baker Act
Cichowski was previously arrested in 2024 for domestic battery, domestic battery by strangulation and false imprisonment.
As of Monday, records indicate that Cichowski is being held at the Flagler County Sheriff's Office Jail without bail. His arraignment hearing is scheduled for May 5.
He is one of dozens of candidates in the running to replace Governor Ron DeSantis. The Democratic primary is scheduled for August 18.
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