UMass football freshman Marvins Antoine was pronounced dead after a stabbing early Sept. 19 in Providence, while teammate Kensley Macean was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, the university said.
The incident followed an altercation at Mezzo Lounge and later unfolded around 12:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Wendy’s on Charles Street. Providence police said two men were stabbed, and the investigation remains ongoing.
What the university said
In a statement, Chancellor Mark A. Fuller said the university is grieving Antoine’s death and is supporting Macean as he recovers. He also said there is no reason to believe there is any ongoing threat to the UMass Dartmouth community.
“Our hearts and prayers are very much with Marvins’ family, friends, classmates, and teammates as we mourn his loss together,” Fuller said. “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.”
Fuller added that the appropriate law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident, but the university cannot share more details because the case is still active.
Antoine’s place on the team
Antoine had already shown his value on the field. In the 2025 Thanksgiving Day contest, he scored three touchdowns and rushed for 131 yards on 14 carries in a 36-0 win over New Bedford. After that performance, he said, “I felt really good today,” and, “We did not take them lightly even though their record was 0-9. We just wanted to win for the city of Fall River and get the win.”
The loss is especially difficult because it involves two members of the same football program. For UMass Dartmouth, the immediate focus has shifted from football to support, safety and the ongoing police investigation.
Prior history at Mezzo Lounge
WPRI reported in 2024 that the Providence Board of Licensees closed Mezzo Lounge for 72 hours after reports that shots had been fired in a parking lot following an altercation. That history adds another layer to an already serious incident, but officials have not said the earlier case is connected to the Sept. 19 stabbing.
For now, the key facts are simple: Antoine died, Macean survived with injuries, and police are still working through what happened in Providence.
