A Suffolk County grand jury indicted the man accused of killing a CVS employee on an upgraded charge of first-degree murder, according to court records Wednesday.

John Pilaccio, 43, of Lindenhurst, allegedly stabbed employee Edeedson Cine Jr. to death on Christmas night at the CVS on East Montauk Highway and Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst.

Pilaccio was originally charged with second-degree murder.

As News 12 previously reported, Pilaccio entered the store in Lindenhurst a little before 7 p.m. and attacked Cine, 23, in an attempted robbery, police said. Cine was hurried to a hospital with a chest wound, but was pronounced dead within an hour of the stabbing, prosecutors said. Prosecutors have previously said Pilaccio confessed to killing Cine, and revealed he was driven by his debt.

Edeedson Cine Sr., Edeedson Cine Jr.'s father, told News 12 his son lived to love and serve and described him as “selfless.”

“My son was someone who stood for what’s right. He understood the value of caring.” Cine Sr. said “He stood for anyone and everyone. He’s done that throughout his life.”