An 18-year-old UMass Dartmouth football player was killed and a teammate was injured after an altercation escalated into a stabbing in Providence, Rhode Island, early Saturday morning, September 19, 2026.
The victim was identified as Marvins Antoine, a freshman running back from Boston and graduate of Durfee High School in Fall River.
Providence police said officers responded to the Wendy’s parking lot at 391 Charles Street at approximately 12:30 a.m. after reports of a stabbing following an altercation at nearby Mezzo Lounge.
Two men were found suffering from stab wounds.
Marvins Antoine Dies After Stabbing
Antoine suffered stab wounds to the chest and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital for emergency treatment.
He later died from his injuries.
Antoine was 18 years old and had recently begun his freshman year at UMass Dartmouth, where he was a member of the football team.
The university identified him as a freshman running back from Boston. Before attending UMass Dartmouth, Antoine graduated from B.M.C. Durfee High School in Fall River.
His death has left the UMass Dartmouth football program and university community mourning the loss of a young student-athlete whose college career had only just begun.
Teammate Kensley Macean Injured
A second UMass Dartmouth football player was also injured in the stabbing.
The player was identified as 19-year-old Kensley Macean, a freshman defensive back from Dighton, Massachusetts.
Macean suffered stab wounds to the head and neck area and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital.
His injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Macean had also been with other members of the UMass Dartmouth football team at Mezzo Lounge before the altercation moved outside.
Altercation Began at Mezzo Lounge
According to police, Antoine, Macean and other UMass Dartmouth football players had been at Mezzo Lounge on Charles Street Friday night.
The team had played Framingham State earlier that evening.
At some point, an altercation occurred inside or near the lounge before the confrontation moved across Charles Street to the Wendy’s parking lot.
Police said the circumstances surrounding the dispute remain under investigation.
Investigators are working to establish exactly what happened before the stabbing and what led to the violence.
Student Arrested and Charged
Police later identified a suspect in connection with the stabbing.
The suspect was identified as 19-year-old Chukuwnonoso Uzoma Eze, a UMass Dartmouth student who is not a member of the football team.
Eze was located on the UMass Dartmouth campus and taken into custody by university police.
He is being held pending transfer to Rhode Island authorities, where he faces a murder charge in connection with Antoine’s death.
Investigators used surveillance and other evidence, including camera information from the area, to help identify the vehicle allegedly connected to the suspect.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and stabbing.
UMass Dartmouth Community Mourns
The death of Antoine has prompted an outpouring of grief across the UMass Dartmouth community.
University officials expressed condolences to Antoine’s family, friends, classmates and teammates while also offering support to Macean as he recovers.
The university has made counseling and other support resources available to students, faculty and staff affected by the tragedy.
Officials said there was no indication of an ongoing threat to the UMass Dartmouth campus.
Remembering Marvins Antoine
Antoine was a young football player from Boston who had recently transitioned from high school athletics to college football.
He was a graduate of Durfee High School in Fall River, where he played football before joining the UMass Dartmouth Corsairs.
His death comes at the beginning of his college career, leaving teammates, classmates and those who knew him to mourn a life that ended unexpectedly.
Further information about funeral arrangements and memorial services had not been publicly announced at the time of publication.
Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Marvins Antoine |
| Age | 18 |
| Hometown | Boston, Massachusetts |
| School | UMass Dartmouth |
| Position | Freshman running back |
| High school | B.M.C. Durfee High School |
| Incident | Fatal stabbing |
| Date | September 19, 2026 |
| Approximate time | 12:30 a.m. |
| Location | Wendy’s parking lot, 391 Charles Street, Providence |
| Nearby venue | Mezzo Lounge |
| Cause of death | Stab wounds to the chest |
| Hospital | Rhode Island Hospital |
| Second victim | Kensley Macean, 19 |
| Second victim’s condition | Non-life-threatening injuries |
| Suspect | Chukuwnonoso Uzoma Eze, 19 |
| Suspect status | In custody |
| Charge | Murder |
| Investigation | Ongoing |
Investigation Continues
Providence police continue to investigate the events that led to the fatal stabbing.
Investigators are expected to examine witness statements, surveillance footage and other evidence as they reconstruct the confrontation and determine what happened before the violence moved into the Wendy’s parking lot.
The case remains active, and additional charges or information may be announced as the investigation proceeds through the Rhode Island criminal justice system.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information released during an active criminal investigation. Allegations against the accused remain allegations unless established in court. Details may change as investigators release additional information and the case proceeds through the legal system. Funeral and memorial information for Marvins Antoine should be confirmed through his family or authorized representatives.