LEOMINSTER — On Thursday, May 21, 2026, Officer Michael Dingman of the Leominster Police Department was dispatched to 12 First Avenue for an incident involving the reporting party, John Egan, and his sister-in-law, Eni Da Costa.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Michael Dingman and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
“I arrived on scene and spoke to John who had an injury to his left hand. The marks consisted of scratch marks with red brown stains,” Officer Dingman said. “John stated his wife, [name redacted], was here earlier today. The incident started when she was home intoxicated. He stated his wife is an alcoholic and they got into an argument. [John’s wife] ended up falling and injuring her knee.”
Officer Dingman said Egan stated that nothing physical occurred and that no threats were made to harm anyone. He also stated that his wife’s knee injury was accidental.
“John stated he called Eni to come pick her up and take her to the hospital,” Officer Dingman said. “Eni arrived and believed John had hurt [his wife]. Eni argued with him.”
According to police, Eni Da Costa, 59, is a resident of Olin Avenue in Fitchburg, MA.
Egan told Officer Dingman that Da Costa began to leave the house as his wife was exiting the residence.
“Eni came back inside the house to close the door when she swung her arm at John and struck his shoulder area,” Officer Dingman said. “Eni exited the house sticking her middle finger up as she walked away. John walked towards her in close proximity. Eni turns back and spits in his face. John then kicks Eni in the buttocks. Eni turns around and begins striking John with her arms. John stated that was when he received the scratch marks on his arms. He stated he pushed her away.”
Egan stated that he called 911 because Da Costa said she was going to tell hospital staff that he had attacked them.
“John wanted to tell the truth about what happened. John had a Ring camera that caught the altercation,” Officer Dingman said. “I confirmed the events that happened besides the punch to John’s shoulder because that occurred outside the camera view.”
Officer Dingman said he radioed for another officer to respond to the hospital, and Officer Mackenson Adescar was dispatched. He also requested that Sergeant James McKenna respond to the hospital. Officer Dingman said he spoke with Officer Adescar and Sergeant McKenna about the incident while they interviewed Da Costa and Egan’s wife
“Officer Adescar informed me of their statements,” Officer Dingman said. “[Egan’s wife] stated nothing physical and no threats were made between John and her. I determined Eni to be the dominant aggressor.”
Officer Adescar then placed Da Costa under arrest and transported her to the station for booking.
“I read John the Abused Persons Notice of Rights in which he declined a 209A order,” Officer Dingman said. “The domestic violence dangerousness worksheet was filled out. I filed with Elder Affairs due to John being sixty-one years old.”
Eni Da Costa, 59, of Fitchburg, was charged with the following:
- Assault & Battery on an Individual Over 60 Years Old (arm scratches/punches)
- Assault & Battery (spit)
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in May, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.
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