Providence, Rhode Island — An 18-year-old University of Massachusetts Dartmouth football player was fatally stabbed early Saturday morning following an altercation that began at a nearby nightclub and later moved into a Wendy’s parking lot, according to Providence police.
Marvin Antoine, a freshman running back at UMass Dartmouth, was identified as the victim after Providence officers responded to reports of a stabbing shortly after midnight on Sept. 19.
Police said two people were injured during the incident. Antoine suffered a stab wound to the chest and was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
A second UMass Dartmouth freshman, 19-year-old defensive back Kensley Macean, also suffered stab wounds but was expected to recover.
Police Respond to Stabbing Near Wendy’s
Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said patrol officers were called to a Wendy’s parking lot around 12 a.m. local time Saturday after reports that multiple people had been stabbed.
“Providence police officers learned that two individuals had sustained stab wounds during an altercation in the parking lot,” Perez said.
“The first victim sustained a stab wound to the chest and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.”
Macean sustained injuries to his head and neck area and left arm, but police said his injuries were non-life-threatening. He remained hospitalized while recovering from the incident.
Investigators later determined that the violence was connected to an altercation at Mezzo Lounge, a nearby nightclub.
Altercation Began at Nearby Nightclub
According to Perez, the incident involved several individuals, including members of the UMass Dartmouth football team who had played against Framingham State earlier that day.
Police said the initial confrontation began while people were in line at the nightclub.
“There was an altercation between a female and some of the victims that were in line,” Perez said, noting that the club was over capacity at the time. “And then the altercation moved over to the parking lot of the Wendy’s, but we have no indication that they knew each other.”
Authorities have not indicated that Antoine or the other victims knew the person accused in the stabbing before the confrontation.
The investigation remains focused on determining exactly what happened during the transition from the nightclub to the parking lot.
Suspect Charged With Murder
Police identified 19-year-old Chukuwnonso Uzoma-eze, a student who is not a member of the football team, as a suspect believed to have been involved in the fatal stabbing.
Uzoma-eze was later located by authorities and charged with murder, according to police. Perez spoke about the emotional impact of the case during the news conference, particularly for Antoine’s family.
“I just wanted to bring justice to the family,” Perez said during the news conference. “I couldn’t believe what they’re feeling, having to mourn their child who probably just moved them into college two weeks ago as a freshman. That’s terrible.”
Antoine had only recently begun his college experience, making the loss especially devastating for his family, teammates and the university community.
UMass Dartmouth Mourns Freshman Football Player
UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Mark Fuller addressed Antoine’s death in a statement as the university community began mourning the freshman.
“Our hearts and prayers are very much with Marvin’s family, friends, classmates and teammates as we mourn his loss together,” he said, per CBS News. “We also send our prayers and best wishes for Kensley’s recovery, and hope that he will be able to resume his education here soon.”
Antoine’s death has left teammates and classmates grieving a young student-athlete whose college career had only just begun.
His younger sister, Stacie, has also spoken publicly about the loss while raising money for the family’s funeral expenses through a GoFundMe campaign.
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Family Remembers Antoine
In a message posted to the fundraising page, Stacie described her brother as someone who had been excited about college and deeply committed to football.
“My brother had just started college and had so much going for him,” she wrote on the page. “He played football, and he loved it. He was smart, easygoing, and always made people laugh.”
She added:
“He was also the kind of person who was always there for the people he loved, which makes this loss even harder to understand and accept,” she added. “I feel empty after losing my older brother.”
The investigation into the fatal stabbing remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the full sequence of events surrounding the nightclub altercation and the confrontation that followed.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking loss involving a college student whose freshman year had only just begun? Share your condolences and thoughts in the comments.
