On Christmas Day, a CVS worker, aged 23, was stabbed to death while covering a shift for a colleague at a Long Island store, as reported by authorities.
The victim, Edeedson “Eddy” Cine Jr., a resident of West Babylon, Long Island, New York, was fatally stabbed in the chest at the Lindenhurst CVS on Montauk Highway. The incident happened approximately one hour before the store’s closing time, around 7 p.m., when a man burst into the store demanding money.
According to court testimony, after initially stabbing Cine in the chest, Pilaccio jumped over the counter and continued the attack, stabbing him twice more in the head. An autopsy conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed that Cine suffered a chest wound approximately seven inches deep that pierced his rib cage, pericardial sac, pulmonary artery, and left atrium, as well as two additional sharp-force injuries to his head. Cine was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, where he was pronounced dead at 7:33 p.m.
John Pilaccio, 43, a Lindenhurst resident, was arrested on December 27 and arraigned the following day on charges of second-degree murder. A grand jury later upgraded the charges to first-degree murder on December 31. Prosecutors revealed that Pilaccio was arrested at his Palm Street residence on December 27. He voluntarily accompanied detectives to the First Precinct for questioning, where he initially denied involvement before later admitting to the crime when confronted with surveillance footage.
According to prosecutors, Pilaccio had approximately $25,000 in credit card debt. Surveillance footage shows him entering the store wearing a tan coat and dark scarf, walking through the aisles, and picking up a Gatorade before approaching the counter, where he attempted to rob the register. When Cine refused to hand over money, Pilaccio attacked him.
His family shared that he spent the morning of Christmas exchanging gifts with his parents and siblings before heading off to work. Edeedson Cine Sr., the victim’s father, addressed a crowd at a vigil held at Lindenhurst Village Square on December 29. Hundreds of people attended the memorial service to honor his son.
Cine expressed deep admiration and love for his son’s humble nature. At the vigil, he conveyed the immense pain of losing his son to such a violent act. He said, “No parent expects to outlive their child. The suddenness, the brutal and senseless way he was taken, has left a space in our hearts that can’t be filled.”
Vanessa Cine, the victim’s aunt, also attended the vigil and thanked the community for its support during this challenging period.
The vigil was attended by Cine’s family, friends, community members, and Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, who spoke at the event.
A local middle school student, 12-year-old Dylan, shared a cherished memory: “I didn’t have enough money to pay for my drink. Eddie told me, “That’s okay — just give me three,” and he paid the rest himself. I always remembered him because of that.
In response to the fatal stabbing, CVS hired 24-hour private security at the store. A memorial of flowers and candles has been established at the entrance, where customers and coworkers have paid their respects.
Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina criticized CVS publicly for their delay in handing over surveillance footage. According to Catalina, this delay has hindered the investigation. He reported that CVS had not provided the video to the police even 18 hours after the crime.
As of early January, a GoFundMe page set up by Cine’s family had collected over $100,000. According to the fundraising page, Cine had a fierce heart for service, and his love for his family and friends was unwavering.
The murder on Christmas Day has deeply affected the Lindenhurst community, where Cine was known and loved by regular customers at the pharmacy. He was often described as kind, considerate, and always ready to assist others.
Local shoppers expressed to News 12 that the store hadn’t been the same since the tragic event. Fernande JN Louis of Lindenhurst said, “It’s a sad, sad situation. I’m very sorry for the parents, especially his mother.”
Pilaccio was arraigned on the first-degree murder charges on January 7 in Suffolk County Court, where he pleaded not guilty. He is being held without bail and faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 23.