Lindenhurst Man Arrested in Fatal Christmas Night CVS Stabbing

Suffolk County police charged John Pilaccio, 43, of Lindenhurst with second degree murder following the fatal stabbing of 23 year old CVS employee Edeedson Cine Jr. The attack occurred inside the CVS at 20 East Montauk Highway on Christmas night at approximately 6 50 p.m. Cine was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip where he was pronounced dead.

According to the police report, the suspect fled on foot immediately after the stabbing. Homicide detectives arrested Pilaccio the following day as part of the investigation. He was being held overnight and was scheduled for arraignment. The investigation remained active, with detectives continuing to develop the case and evidence.

The location of the attack, a busy neighborhood pharmacy on a holiday evening, amplifies concerns about the security of frontline retail workers and holiday shoppers. CVS employees and customers who were at the store that night may have seen or heard details that could assist investigators. Verify any information with Suffolk County police before sharing it, and contact the authorities if you have direct knowledge of the events or relevant video footage.

This case also raises questions for other local businesses about emergency protocols and staff safety during peak hours. Review store security measures, expect heightened police activity while detectives continue their work, and check for official updates about court proceedings and evidence developments.

Community impact extends to family and coworkers grieving the loss of Edeedson Cine Jr. The criminal charge of second degree murder indicates prosecutors believe the act was intentional. The arrest and charging provide immediate accountability, while the ongoing investigation will determine the full scope of events that led to the killing.

Police asked the public to allow detectives to complete their work and to report any tips that could aid the investigation. Follow statements from Suffolk County police for confirmed updates on arraignment dates and case developments as detectives continue to build the prosecution.