Man charged with killing UMass Dartmouth football player in Providence arraigned in Mass.

The 19-year-old man charged with stabbing and killing a UMass Dartmouth football player and injuring another early Saturday morning pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Monday.

Chukwunonso Uzeoma-Eze, of Hyde Park, is expected to be extradited to Rhode Island, where he will be charged with the murder of 18-year-old Marvins Antoine and the felony assault of 19-year-old Kensley Macean, Providence police said.

Kristy DosReis, a spokesperson for Providence police, wrote in an email to Boston.com that the department does not yet know when the extradition will take place.

In the meantime, a New Bedford District Court judge ordered Uzeoma-Eze to be held without bail at the Bristol County House of Correction during his arraignment Monday. 

Legal representation for Uzeoma-Eze declined to comment Tuesday.

“I want to bring justice to the family,” Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said during a Saturday news conference broadcast by WCVB. “I couldn’t begin to think about how difficult it must be for them to have the need to mourn the loss of their child.”

Altercation outside of Providence nightclub

The stabbing occurred in a Wendy’s parking lot along Charles St. following an altercation outside of the Mezzo Lounge, a Providence nightclub, police said. 

Antoine, a freshman running back, and Macean, a freshman defensive back, were at the venue with other members of the UMass Dartmouth football team following a game against Framingham State University, police said.

While waiting in line for the Mezzo Lounge, the victims got into an altercation with a woman who was leaving the lounge. Uzeoma-Eze, who is also a UMass Dartmouth student, though not a football player, knew the woman and the altercation “escalated,” police said.

Police arrived on scene around 12:30 a.m. Saturday morning, and they found Antoine with stab wounds to the chest. Antoine was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased, police said. 

Police found Macean with injuries to his head and neck area. He was also taken to Rhode Island Hospital with “non-life-threatening” injuries.

Providence officials ordered the Mezzo Lounge to close for 72 hours following an emergency hearing Saturday, police said.

The lounge was scheduled for a show cause hearing related to the incident before the city’s Board of Licenses Tuesday morning, but the meeting was postponed until Thursday afternoon, a city spokesperson said.

A Massachusetts-based promoter was hosting an event at the lounge that evening, police said previously.

Uzeoma-Eze’s arrest in Mass.

Providence police tracked Uzeoma-Eze’s vehicle in and out of the city using Flock cameras, Perez said. UMass Dartmouth police arrested Uzeoma-Eze on Saturday morning and charged him with being a fugitive from justice.

A police report filed in New Bedford District Court said Uzeoma-Eze told police he had previously attempted suicide and asked, “Can you just shoot me?”

Police took Uzeoma-Eze to a community behavioral health center and later to Saint Luke’s Hospital and Bridgewater State Hospital, a state run psychiatric hospital, court records show.

Court records note there are variations of spellings for Uzeoma-Eze’s name. Providence police initially reported his name to be spelled “Chukuwnonso Uzoma-Eze.” The court records note police were unable to confirm a social security number for the defendant.

If Uzeoma-Eze is not extradited by Sept. 28, he is due for a hearing to review status in New Bedford District Court.

Remembering Marvins Antoine

Antoine’s family and community mourned the 18-year-old’s death over the last few days.

Stacie Antoine, his sister, wrote to Boston.com that Marvins was her “best friend” and the “nicest person ever.”

“He was always there for me,” Stacie wrote. “If he saw [you] sad, he would try to make [you] smile. He really was the kindest person ever.”

The UMass Dartmouth community honored Antoine in a vigil over the weekend, which included a balloon release, according to a post shared by the university’s parent and family page. The university is holding a candlelight vigil for Antoine on Wednesday evening in front of the Claire T. Carney Library.

UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Mark A. Fuller wrote in a statement that the school made counseling and support services available following Antoine’s death.

“Our hearts and prayers are very much with Marvins’ family, friends, classmates, and teammates as we mourn his loss together,” Fuller wrote. “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.”