Exclusive | Dad of slain CVS worker says son spent final morning with family before fatal shift
23‑Year‑Old CVS Employee Killed on Christmas Day in Long Island
Edeedson “Ed” Cine, 23, was found dead after a Christmas‑Day shift at the Lindenhurst CVS‑Pharmacy in Long Island. The New York police say he was stabbed in the chest by a 43‑year‑old customer.
Cine had turned up to the store, a holiday he was normally off, to cover for a coworker. He had spent the morning with his parents in their West Babylon home, handing out presents and washing dishes before heading to work. “In his final hours, Cine spent a cozy Christmas morning with his family,” a family member told reporters, adding that the son’s love for his parents was evident even in a simple gesture.
Edeedson’s father, Edeedson Cine, Sr., expressed his grief in the first public remarks. “My son normally helps out,” he said to The New York Post. “He was the kind of person who would step in front of a bullet for anyone. He would volunteer for the tough assignments. He was simple, and I loved that about my son.” He went on, “He was always willing to help. If he can make things better for you, he will.”
The fatal shooting occurred in the later part of the shift. Police say a customer named John Pilaccio entered the store and stabbed Cine in the chest. Pilaccio fled but was apprehended Friday afternoon and charged with second‑degree murder. At his arraignment in Suffolk County Court, he wore a gray and blue sweatshirt, had tousled hair, and remained silent as prosecutors presented the evidence of the killing.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina told reporters the motive is still unclear. “Based on the person of interest and his background, I can only assume he was in the store for nefarious reasons, and it’s possible their confrontation was a result of that,” he said. Officials have not confirmed whether Cine and the suspect had interacted before the attack.
The department has called attention to a delay in retrieving surveillance footage. Pilaccio had been in the store for only a brief period and it took CVS 18 hours to provide the company with a compiled video. “Our teams worked through the night to pull and package hours of video in the specific manner they asked for,” a CVS spokesperson told The New York Post. “We’ve been in contact with the colleague’s family and are determining the best way to support them.” CVS declined to say whether it will cover funeral expenses for the young employee.
A small memorial was set up outside the Lindenhurst location to honor Cine. Brigitte Stelzer photographed the area for the paper. The memorial was a quiet testament to a young man who “was loved and he loved also,” said to the father. The family also keeps close ties with each other; “We have a very tight family. We are very close. We do a lot together,” the father said.
The incident has shaken the local community and raised questions about security in retail settings. City officials plan to review customer monitoring protocols after the lawsuit related to delayed footage. Meanwhile, the family of the slain employee is coping with a sudden loss on a holiday that was meant to be filled with joy.
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