The 18-year-old running back was killed, and teammate Kensley Macean was injured following an altercation outside a Providence nightclub.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The UMass Dartmouth football program is mourning the death of freshman running back Marvins Antoine, who was fatally stabbed early Saturday morning outside a Providence nightclub. He was 18.
The incident occurred just hours after the Corsairs' Friday night game against Framingham State.
Antoine was reportedly with a group of teammates at Mezzo Lounge when the venue stopped admitting patrons because it had reached capacity. A crowd formed outside, where police say an altercation broke out shortly after midnight.
Antoine was fatally wounded during the confrontation.
Freshman defensive back Kensley Macean was also injured. Authorities said his injuries were not considered life-threatening.
UMass Dartmouth Mourns
UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Mark Fuller addressed the loss in a university statement, extending condolences to Antoine's family, friends, and teammates while also wishing Macean a full recovery.
“Our hearts and prayers are very much with Marvin's family, friends, classmates, and teammates as we mourn his loss together. 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.”
The university has made counseling and support resources available as the football program and campus community process Antoine's death.
Suspect Arrested
Providence police arrested 19-year-old Chukuwnonso Uzoma-eze, also a UMass Dartmouth student, in connection with the stabbing.
Investigators tracked a vehicle allegedly used to leave the scene through license-plate readers and later apprehended Uzoma-eze on the UMass Dartmouth campus.
Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez told WPRI that investigators do not believe the suspect knew Antoine or the other players before the confrontation.
The investigation remains ongoing.
A Freshman Season Cut Short
Antoine, a Boston native, played high school football at B.M.C. Durfee High School in Fall River before joining UMass Dartmouth.
He was only beginning his first collegiate season.
Instead of preparing for another week of football, his teammates are now grieving the loss of an 18-year-old teammate whose college career—and life—had barely begun.
Macean, a freshman from Dighton, Massachusetts, continues to recover from his injuries.
For UMass Dartmouth, Saturday became bigger than football.
Sanchez Sideline extends its condolences to the family, friends, teammates and loved ones of Marvins Antoine, and wishes Kensley Macean a full recovery.