Eddy Cine Jr., 23, was fatally stabbed while covering a Christmas Day shift at a CVS in Lindenhurst. Authorities arrested 43-year-old John Pilaccio the next day; prosecutors say the slaying occurred during a robbery and upgraded charges to first-degree murder. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner ruled Cine’s death a homicide from sharp-force wounds to the head and chest. Pilaccio is held without bail and is due back in court on Feb. 23.
Ex-Convict Charged With First-Degree Murder After CVS Clerk Fatally Stabbed On Christmas
John Pilaccio inside Judge Karen Wilitus’ courtroom at Suffolk County Court in Riverhead, where he was indicted on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, for allegedly stabbing CVS worker Eddy Cine Jr. to death.
Eddy Cine Jr., 23, was fatally stabbed while covering a Christmas Day shift at a CVS in Lindenhurst, New York, Suffolk County officials say.
Authorities say the attack occurred at about 7 p.m. when 43-year-old John Pilaccio, an ex-convict from Lindenhurst, entered the store on East Montauk Highway, demanded money and stabbed Cine in the chest. Prosecutors say Pilaccio then vaulted the counter, stabbed Cine again and fled.
John Pilaccio was arrested a day after the slaying and had initially been arrested on a charge of second-degree murder.
Arrest, Charges And Motive
Pilaccio was arrested the following day and initially charged with second-degree murder. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said prosecutors upgraded the charge to first-degree murder because the killing allegedly occurred in furtherance of a robbery — a factor that can justify the more serious charge under New York law. Tierney said Pilaccio admitted the motive was robbery and recounted that the suspect "took a Gatorade" during the incident.
Investigators say Pilaccio told them he was carrying roughly $25,000 in credit-card debt. The district attorney's office also said he has a violent criminal history, including a tire-iron assault about two decades ago, and that he had been discharged from parole prior to the slaying.
John Paliccio, 43, pictured in a booking photo taken at the Suffolk County Jail.
Medical Examiner, Response And Video Dispute
Police arrived within minutes, rendered first aid and paramedics transported Cine to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the cause and manner of death a homicide, listing sharp-force wounds to both the head and chest.
County officials criticized CVS for not turning over some surveillance footage as quickly as prosecutors expected. CVS said it cooperated with police, provided initial footage the night of the killing and turned over additional video the next morning. A company spokesperson said the retailer was "devastated" by the loss and offered condolences to Cine's family.
A makeshift memorial is visible outside the CVS pharmacy in Lindenhurst, New York, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. The store is the scene of the stabbing death of Eddy Cine Jr. on Christmas Day.
Community And Background
Cine grew up in West Babylon and was one of four siblings. He studied to become a computer technician at Hunter Business School, where his father, Ed Cine Sr., is an instructor. Friends and the school remembered him for his interest in cooking and music; he played drums and sang in youth choirs. The school issued a message of support to the family.
Pilaccio is being held without bail at the Suffolk County Jail in Riverhead and is due back in court on Feb. 23. His attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
Context
The article briefly referenced a separate Manhattan case in which prosecutors sought a top charge in a different fatal attack; that matter is unrelated to the Lindenhurst killing and involved distinct legal questions about charges and motive.
“A number of the laws that have been passed have really made our parole system a joke,” District Attorney Tierney said at a news briefing, criticizing recent changes to parole supervision that he said limit officers’ ability to return parolees to custody for violations.
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