Tragedy struck on Long Island this Christmas Day when a 23-year-old CVS employee was fatally stabbed while on duty.
Suffolk County authorities responded to a distress call at the CVS located at 20 East Montauk Highway in Lindenhurst, arriving just before 7 p.m. on Thursday.
According to a statement released by the police on Friday, officers discovered a male employee with a stab wound to his chest upon their arrival.
The victim, identified as Edeedson Cine from West Babylon, was rushed to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, where he was declared deceased.
The assailant had already fled the scene on foot by the time law enforcement arrived. Suffolk County homicide detectives are actively searching for the suspect, described as a white male in his 40s, and are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to an arrest.
Details surrounding the motive for the attack remain unclear, and it is unknown if there was any prior connection between the victim and the perpetrator. The Suffolk County Police Department has yet to provide further comments.
Police officials said witnesses and surveillance video from outside the store have led them to a person of interest and that, based on who he is, they believe he was in the CVS for “nefarious reasons,” reported ABC 7 New York.
The store remained closed on Friday as detectives continued their investigation. Cops were seen scouring the neighborhood, including sewer grates, for a weapon or any other evidence connected to the crime.
CVS thanked police for their quick response in a statement addressing the incident.
“We’re devastated over the tragic stabbing that occurred inside our East Montauk Highway store on Christmas night. Edeedson Cine was a valued member of the store team, known for his strong work ethic,” a company spokesperson said in an email. “During his 10 months with CVS, he was a hard-working and dedicated employee and his loss will be felt by all of us.”
They added that counseling and support services were being offered to all store colleagues.
The CVS where the fatal stabbing occurred is located roughly 40 miles east of Grand Central Terminal, near Jones Beach Island.
