Candidate for Florida governor taken into custody in Palm Coast domestic incident

Deputies say suspect threatened victims and law enforcement before surrendering without incident


  • By
  • | 5:55 p.m. April 10, 2026
Kevin Cichowski (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mug shot)
Kevin Cichowski (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mug shot)
  • Palm Coast Observer
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BUNNELL, Fla. — The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Palm Coast man, who is currently running for governor and previously ran for mayor, following a domestic disturbance with a weapon in the C-Section of Palm Coast.

On the morning of April 10, deputies responded to a residence on Cleveland Court after the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center received a report that a man had battered two elderly victims in the home — hitting one with a cane and throwing a cellphone at the other — and allegedly 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.

When deputies arrived at the residence, they located the two victims, who were hiding in a bedroom and had reported that they could not leave the home because one of the victims was bedridden. Deputies safely escorted the victims out of the home through the lanai.

After the victims were safely evacuated, deputies made contact with Cichowski and ordered him to surrender. He did and was taken into custody without incident.

Deputies arrested Cichowski, 46, of Palm Coast, for 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. While being transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, Cichowski made suicidal statements and was placed into protective custody under a Baker Act.

During the incident, deputies were assisted by an FCSO drone and the Real Time Crime Center, which provided tactical intelligence through cameras on the drone and their body cameras.

“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.”

Cichowski was previously arrested in 2024 for domestic battery, domestic battery by strangulation, and false imprisonment.

Cichowski is running for election for Governor of Florida. Cichowski previously ran for Palm Coast mayor in 2021. 

 

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