Lindenhurst CVS Stabbing: Murder Charge Upgraded After Grand Jury Indictment

LINDENHURST, NY — A Suffolk County grand jury has indicted a Lindenhurst man on an upgraded charge of first-degree murder in the Christmas night stabbing death of a CVS employee, according to court records.

John Pilaccio, 43, of Lindenhurst, is accused of fatally stabbing Edeedson Cine Jr., 23, during an alleged attempted robbery at the CVS located on East Montauk Highway and Wellwood Avenue, prosecutors said.

Pilaccio was originally charged with second-degree murder. The grand jury indictment elevates the charge to first-degree murder.

According to prosecutors, Pilaccio entered the CVS shortly before 7 p.m. on Christmas night and attacked Cine, who was working behind the counter. Cine suffered a stab wound to the chest and was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead within an hour, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors have previously said Pilaccio confessed to killing Cine and told investigators he was motivated by financial debt.

Pilaccio was arrested the following day and is being held pending court proceedings. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 13 at 9 a.m. at Suffolk County First District Court, court records show.

He is represented by assigned defense counsel Steve Fondulis, who could not immediately respond to comment.

Cine, a West Babylon resident and a 2020 graduate of North Babylon High School, was remembered earlier this week during a community vigil in Lindenhurst, where hundreds gathered to honor his life and support his family.

A GoFundMe fundraiser organized by Cine’s family has raised more than $120,000.

The case remains pending in court.