New York Man Covered a CVS Shift on His Day Off Christmas Night — Was Stabbed to Death Behind the Counter

A New York man who went into work on his day off on Christmas was fatally stabbed in a disturbing act of violence.

Edeedson Cine, 23, devoted his holiday morning to his family before heading into a shift he was not originally scheduled to work at a CVS store in Long Island, New York. Hours later, his life was cut short.

According to a press release from the Suffolk County Police Department, officers responded to reports of an incident at the store located at 20 East Montauk Highway around 6:50 p.m. that evening. When police arrived, they found Cine suffering from a stab wound to the chest.

He was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, where he was sadly pronounced dead shortly after.

Cine’s father, Edeedson Cine Sr., told the New York Post that his son had stepped in to cover a shift for a coworker at the last minute.

“My son normally helps out,” he said. “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.”

Earlier that morning, Cine had been helping his family prepare for the holiday. “He said, ‘I’ll wash the dishes before I go to work,’” his father recalled. “And then he kissed me and left … He left for work, and he unfortunately didn’t make it home.”

A GoFundMe created by Vanessa Cine described him as a “remarkable young man” with a “fierce heart for service.”

Police later arrested 43-year-old John Pilaccio of Lindenhurst and charged him with second-degree murder, according to a statement provided to The New York Times. Surveillance footage from inside the store is under review, though authorities say the motive remains unclear.

“I want to say on behalf of the Suffolk County Police Department, our hearts go out to his family,” Commissioner Kevin Catalina said via CBS News. “It appears this poor kid went to work on Christmas, and he was assaulted while he was working behind the counter in the store.”

CVS released a statement calling the incident a “senseless tragedy” and confirmed counseling and support services are being offered to employees as the community mourns a life lost far too soon.