A 43-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old CVS employee on Christmas Day. John Pilaccio of Lindenhurst is accused of fatally stabbing Edeedson Cine, of West Babylon, in the chest at a CVS store in Lindenhurst, Suffolk County police announced Friday.
The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on Christmas Day at the CVS located at 20 East Montauk Highway. Police responded to the scene shortly after, finding Cine with a chest wound. He was transported to Good Samaritan University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities identified Pilaccio as a suspect based on witness accounts and surveillance footage from the vicinity of the store. Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina stated that the victim was working behind the counter when the alleged assault took place, describing it as a tragic incident for a young man working on a holiday.
Cine, who had been employed at the CVS for approximately 10 months, was reportedly not scheduled to work on Christmas but had volunteered for an extra shift. Investigators have not yet revealed a motive for the stabbing or whether the suspect and victim knew each other. Pilaccio was taken into custody later on Christmas Day and was scheduled for arraignment on Saturday.
CVS released a statement expressing devastation over the “tragic stabbing” and calling Edeedson Cine a “valued member of the store team” who will be deeply missed. His family told local media that he was a loving individual who lived with his parents and was active in his church. They questioned why such violence would occur at his place of employment.
Community members gathered outside the store to create a makeshift memorial, remembering Cine as a polite and helpful young man who went above and beyond for customers. A GoFundMe campaign established in his memory, describing him as a “remarkable young man taken from this world far too soon,” had already raised over $36,000 by Saturday, highlighting the significant impact he had on those who knew him.
