A Lindenhurst man was indicted for allegedly stabbing a CVS employee to death on Christmas Day.
On December 25, 2025, shortly before 7 p.m., John Pilaccio allegedly entered a CVS in Lindenhurst. After walking around the store, Pilaccio allegedly approached Edeedson Cine, Jr., 23, of West Babylon, while holding a knife, lunged at him, and stabbed him in the chest. Pilaccio then allegedly jumped over the front desk where the victim was working and continued to attack him with the knife before fleeing the store.
Within minutes, members of the Suffolk County Police Department’s First Precinct arrived and rendered aid to the victim with the assistance of members of the Lindenhurst Ambulance Company.
The victim was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy, which revealed the victim’s cause of death was sharp force wounds to both his head and chest.
The following day, on December 26, 2025, members of the Suffolk County Police Department arrested Pilaccio in Lindenhurst.
On January 7, 2026, Pilaccio was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis for one count of Murder in the First Degree, a Class A felony, and two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, both Class A felonies. Wilutis ordered Pilaccio remanded without bail during the pendency of the case.
Pilaccio is due back in court on February 23, 2026, and faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“While families in our community were celebrating Christmas, one family suffered an unimaginable loss. My heart goes out to Edeedson Cine, Jr.’s loved ones for their loss, which must be especially hard during the holidays,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “This senseless tragedy should have never happened. I thank the Suffolk County Police Department for their swift work in apprehending the defendant so that he could be held accountable for this alleged crime.”