A University of Massachusetts Dartmouth student is facing a murder charge in connection with the fatal stabbing of a fellow student and football player from the university.
Chukwunonso Uzoma-Eze, 19, pleaded not guilty Monday, Sept. 21, in New Bedford District Court in Massachusetts. He agreed to be extradited to Rhode Island, where the stabbing occurred.
Authorities allege Uzoma-Eze stabbed two UMass Dartmouth football players, Marvins Antoine and Kensley Macean, shortly after midnight Saturday, Sept. 19. Investigators say an altercation began outside Mezzo Lounge in Providence and later continued in a nearby Wendy’s parking lot.
Antoine, 18, was stabbed in the chest and taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Macean, 19, suffered wounds to his head, neck and left arm that were not considered life-threatening.
Police identified Uzoma-Eze as a suspect after interviewing witnesses. Surveillance footage later helped investigators identify his vehicle. He was arrested by UMass Dartmouth police as the investigation continues.
Authorities said they do not believe Uzoma-Eze personally knew Antoine or Macean, who were with other members of the university’s football team at the time.
“There were several patrons that were trying to get into the establishment and at some point, it was determined that no one else was coming in because it was over capacity,” Police Chief Oscar L. Perez said at a news conference. “A female was leaving and was involved in an altercation with the victims. The female actually knew the suspect, and there’s where the disturbance and the disagreement escalated to this unfortunate homicide.”
The stabbing occurred just hours after the UMass Dartmouth football team played a home game Friday night. Providence is approximately 30 miles from the university’s campus.
“Our hearts and prayers are very much with Marvins’ family, friends, classmates, and teammates as we mourn his loss together,” UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Mark A. Fuller said in a statement. “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, a freshman running back from Boston, had not appeared in a game during the 2026 season. Macean, a freshman defensive back from Dighton, Massachusetts, also had not yet played this season.
The investigation remains ongoing. A GoFundMe has been started to help the family of the murder victim: https://southcoastspotlight.com/honoring-marvins-antoine-a-courageous-brother-teammate-and-hero-lost-too-soon/
