Lindenhurst Man Charged With Murder in Fatal Christmas Stabbing of CVS Worker

 A 43-year-old Lindenhurst resident has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old CVS employee on Christmas Day, authorities confirmed.

John Pilaccio, of 59 Palm St., was arrested Friday following the deadly attack on Edeedson “Eddy” Ciné Jr., which occurred just before 7 p.m. Thursday at the CVS store on 20 E. Montauk Highway. Ciné, of West Babylon, had spent the holiday with family before covering a co-worker’s shift. He was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, where he was pronounced dead.

Pilaccio, who lived roughly a half-mile from the store, initially fled on foot but was quickly identified through surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts. During his arraignment, prosecutors revealed Pilaccio confessed, stating the attack was motivated by debt during an attempted robbery. He voluntarily accompanied officers to police headquarters and pleaded not guilty. Pilaccio remains held without bail, with his next court date set for Wednesday, December 31.

The case drew criticism from Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, who condemned CVS corporate for delaying the release of internal video footage, calling it “shocking and appalling” and noting it slowed the investigation. CVS responded that the footage was properly formatted and emailed to police Friday afternoon.

Family and colleagues described Ciné as hardworking with a fierce heart for service, leaving behind grieving loved ones. A GoFundMe has been set up in his memory to support his father. Authorities have not indicated whether Ciné and Pilaccio were acquainted prior to the incident.