LINDENHURST, NY – A man has been taken into custody after the deadly stabbing of a CVS employee on Christmas night, an incident that has shaken the Lindenhurst community.

Police say the stabbing occurred just before 7 p.m. on December 25 inside the store located on Sunrise Highway. According to authorities, 23-year-old Edeedson “Eddy” Cine was working behind the counter when a man approached him and stabbed him in the chest. The suspect, later identified as 43-year-old John Pilaccio, allegedly fled the scene on foot, leaving the victim critically wounded.

Emergency crews responded to the store after receiving 911 calls and transported Cine to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Investigators reviewed security camera footage from the store, which, according to officials, showed Pilaccio walking around the aisles before confronting Cine at the counter. The video appears to show Pilaccio suddenly lunging at Cine with a knife, inflicting the fatal wound. Police say Pilaccio then jumped over the counter and continued his assault before escaping.

Witness accounts from inside the store helped police quickly identify the suspect. Detectives tracked Pilaccio to his residence, where they arrested him without incident three days after the attack.

Authorities report that Pilaccio and Cine did not know each other prior to the stabbing. According to police, Pilaccio told investigators that he was facing financial trouble and intended to rob the store. When Cine did not comply with his demands, Pilaccio allegedly resorted to violence.

Court records show that Pilaccio has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held without bail at Suffolk County’s Third Precinct. His arraignment took place on Saturday, and his next court appearance is set for December 31.

Friends and family have described Cine as a dedicated worker who had swapped into the shift that evening to help out a friend. A fundraising effort set up to support his family has highlighted his kindness, calling him someone whose generosity touched many lives.

The crime has drawn strong reactions from those who knew Cine, with community members expressing grief and disbelief that the attack could happen during what is typically a time of celebration and family gatherings.

As the case moves forward, authorities continue to gather evidence while the community mourns the loss of a young man who, its members say, embodied dedication and compassion.