A suspect has been arrested in connection with the fatal Christmas Day stabbing of a CVS worker on Long Island.
John Pilaccio, 43, was taken into custody late Friday night for the stabbing death of 23-year-old Edeedson “Eddy” Cine, according to Suffolk County police.
Cine, a resident of West Babylon, was working behind the counter of the Lindenhurst CVS on Montauk Highway when he was attacked by a knife-wielding suspect shortly before 7 p.m. on Thursday, about an hour before the store was set to close. By the time authorities arrived on the scene, the suspect had already fled on foot.
Cine, meanwhile, was rushed to Good Samaritan University Center in West Islip, where he was pronounced dead from a stab wound to the chest, police said.
In a statement shared with the Daily News on Friday, a CVS spokesperson said Cine had only worked at the store for 10 months, but quickly became known as a “dedicated employee” with a “strong work ethic.”
As of Saturday, it was still unclear what led up to the stabbing or what the possible motive might have been. Also unclear was whether the suspect and victim knew each other prior to the attack.
Pilaccio, who cops said lives just a half-mile away from the CVS, is facing a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the deadly stabbing. He was arraigned on Saturday in First District Court, where he pleaded not guilty.
Word of Pilaccio’s arrest came hours after Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina blasted CVS for the delayed release of surveillance video related to the case, going so far as to accuse the company of obstructing the investigation.
“Eighteen hours into the investigation, we still have not been given full access to the video that exists inside the store,” Catalina said in a statement to reporters on Friday afternoon. “Quite frankly, that has hampered our ability to make an arrest. I’m shocked and appalled by it.”
Police later confirmed it had received surveillance video from inside the store.
A CVS spokesperson told the New York Times that it had emailed the clip requested by investigators at 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
“It took quite a bit of time to pull and package in the specific manner they asked for,” the pharmacy giant said.
An investigation into the Christmas Day killing is ongoing.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has been set up to help support Cine’s family, who remember him as having “a fierce heart for service” and “unwavering” love for his family and friends.
“Every donation is an act of love and compassion, helping to lift a family in sorrow and reminding them they are not alone,” the fundraiser reads. “If you are unable to give [money], prayers, kind words, and sharing this page are deeply appreciated.”
As of Saturday afternoon, the GoFundMe had raised more than $41,000 of its $60,000 goal.
