A UMass Dartmouth football player died and another was injured following a stabbing just after midnight Friday outside Mezzo Lounge on Charles Street.

 

According to Providence Police Major David Lapatin, the club appeared to be overcrowded and the doors were shut so more people couldn’t get in. That’s when he says a fight broke out in the parking lot, which led to the stabbing.

 

One victim, 18-year-old Marvins Antoine, was stabbed in the chest, according to police. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

 

The second victim, a 19-year-old, suffered non-life-threatening injuries to the head and neck area. He was also transported to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment.

 

Both victims are members of the UMass Dartmouth football team.

 

Police identified the stabbing suspect as 19-year-old Chukuwnonso Uzoma-eze, saying he is also a student at UMass Dartmouth.

 

“The entire UMass Dartmouth community mourns the loss of Marvins Antoine. We extend our thoughts and prayers to Marvins family and friends during this difficult time,” the college said in a statement.

 

Students and faculty, as well as people from Antoine’s hometown of Fall River, gathered on campus Saturday night for a vigil in his honor.

 

“Literally, when you think of him, all you can think of is his smile,” his friend Keon Campbell said. “He was like the friendliest person. He was just the best bro.”

 

“It really shows the type of person he was to have all of these people come for him. That’s crazy,” Campbell added. “It really hit me this morning. I woke up at like 4 in the morning to the message on my phone. I was like … this can’t be true. No way.”