Edeedson Cine Jr., a 23-year-old CVS employee who was not scheduled to work Christmas Day, was fatally stabbed behind the counter at a Lindenhurst, Long Island, New York store after being called in to fill a shift, according to Suffolk County authorities.
According to his father, Edeedson Cine Sr., Cine spent Christmas morning with his family, helping with household chores and washing dishes before leaving for his shift. “He said, ‘I’ll wash the dishes before I go to work,’ which stays with me because it’s just something we needed someone to do. And then he kissed me and left,” Cine Sr. told the New York Post. Cine had worked at the Lindenhurst CVS for approximately 10 months and was known for his strong work ethic, according to a CVS spokesperson.
Edeedson Cine Jr., of West Babylon, was stabbed in the chest just before 7 p.m. on Christmas Day at the CVS located at 20 East Montauk Highway. He was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect fled on foot following the attack. Suffolk County Police arrested John Pilaccio, 43, of Lindenhurst, on Friday, December 26, and charged him with second-degree murder in connection with the stabbing.
Pilaccio was arraigned Saturday at Suffolk County District Court in Central Islip before a judge. He pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail. His court-appointed attorney, Steve Fondulis, represented him at the arraignment. Prosecutors revealed during the arraignment that the incident stemmed from an attempted robbery. According to court documents, Pilaccio entered the store just before 7 p.m. on Thursday and attacked Cine during the confrontation.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said the crime was captured on video surveillance. Prosecutors say Pilaccio confessed to police following his arrest. He told authorities his motive was money and revealed he was in debt. The district attorney referenced oral admissions Pilaccio allegedly made to police during Saturday’s arraignment as part of a bail application, but did not provide additional specifics.
Police arrived at Pilaccio’s residence at 59 Palm Street in Lindenhurst, where he voluntarily accompanied law enforcement.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina had announced Friday afternoon that investigators had identified a person of interest in the murder. “It appeared that this poor kid went to work on Christmas, he was…assaulted while working behind the counter at the store,” Catalina said.
Before the arrest was made public, Commissioner Catalina criticized CVS for what he described as delays in providing surveillance footage to detectives investigating the homicide. He said the company had hampered the department’s ability to make a timely arrest. CVS responded that the video requested by Suffolk County Police was sent to them on Friday. A company spokesperson said it took considerable time to pull and package the footage in the specific manner requested by investigators. The spokesperson added that CVS requested police confirm receipt and ability to view the video, but had not heard back at the time of the statement.
Despite the delay in receiving internal CVS footage, detectives worked through the night using witness accounts and surveillance video from locations outside the store to identify the suspect.
District Attorney Tierney declined to speculate further on the motive during an interview Saturday evening. He said the investigation remains ongoing and the case will be moved to a grand jury for further proceedings. Pilaccio is due back in court on Wednesday, Dec. 31, for his next hearing.
On Monday, December 29, more than 200 community members gathered at a candlelight vigil at Lindenhurst Village Square to mourn Cine’s death. During the emotional event, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina tearfully apologized to Cine’s family. “It’s my job to make sure that things like this don’t happen,” Catalina said. “I want to offer my apologies to the family.” He vowed to work alongside District Attorney Tierney to ensure Pilaccio “will spend the rest of his life in prison.”
Authorities emphasized that a criminal charge is an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The investigation by the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad continues.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad or Crime Stoppers. All calls will be kept confidential, according to police officials.
