Edeedson Cine, 23, was fatally stabbed while working a shift at a CVS on Long Island on Christmas night after spending the morning with his family and covering a coworker’s shift. Police found him with a chest wound and he later died at Good Samaritan Hospital. Authorities arrested 43-year-old John Pilaccio hours later and charged him with second-degree murder while investigators review store surveillance footage. CVS offered support to staff and a GoFundMe has been set up to help Cine’s family.
23-Year-Old Spent Christmas Morning With Family, Fatally Stabbed While Working at CVS
gofundmeEdeedson Cine
Edeedson Cine, 23, spent Christmas morning with his family and then covered a coworker’s shift at a CVS in Long Island — where he was fatally stabbed while working behind the counter, authorities and family members say.
What Happened
According to the Suffolk County Police Department, officers from the First Precinct responded to an incident at the CVS located at 20 East Montauk Highway at about 6:50 p.m. on Dec. 25. When officers arrived, they found Cine with a stab wound to the chest. He was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, where he was pronounced dead.
gofundmeEdeedson Cine as a young child
Family Remembers Him
Cine's father, Edeedson Cine Sr., told the New York Post that his son had not originally been scheduled to work that night but volunteered to cover a coworker’s shift at the last minute. Cine Sr. described his son as selfless and dutiful, saying, 'My son normally helps out. He was the kind of person who would step in front of a bullet for anyone.' He recalled Cine helping prepare the family's holiday, washing dishes before leaving for work and kissing his father goodbye.
Investigation and Arrest
Authorities said the suspect initially fled the scene. Hours later, police arrested 43-year-old John Pilaccio of Lindenhurst and charged him with second-degree murder in connection with Cine’s death. Suffolk County Police confirmed they obtained in-store surveillance footage, but Commissioner Kevin Catalina said investigators had not yet determined a clear motive or precisely what led to the stabbing.
google mapsCVS located at 20 East Montauk Highway
'It appears this poor kid went to work on Christmas, and he was assaulted while he was working behind the counter in the store,' Commissioner Catalina said, adding the department would do everything possible to hold the responsible individual accountable.
Community Response
CVS issued a statement offering counseling and support services to store colleagues and called Cine a valued team member who had worked with the company about 10 months. A GoFundMe created by Vanessa Cine describes Edeedson — known as 'Eddy' — as a 'remarkable young man' with a fierce heart for service and seeks to support his father and honor his memory.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities review footage and piece together the events that led to the stabbing. Friends, family and colleagues have voiced grief and shock at the sudden loss of a young employee who chose to help others even on a holiday.
