The suspect accused of fatally stabbing a UMass Dartmouth football player is a Nigerian national who entered the country on a tourist visa, according to federal law enforcement sources.
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The suspect reportedly overstayed the visa before receiving deferred action under both the Biden and Trump administrations.
The Football Player Was Only 18 Years Old
As reported by the New York Post, Chukwunonso Uzoma David Uzoma Eze has been charged with murder in connection with the stabbing death of 18-year-old Marvins Antoine, a UMass Dartmouth football player.
The incident took place just after midnight on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Providence, Rhode Island, following an altercation near Mezzo Lounge.
Another player, 19-year-old Kensley Macean, suffered stab wounds to his head and neck. The Providence Police Department said he was treated at Rhode Island Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said the incident stemmed from an altercation involving people who had been at the lounge before the stabbing. Antoine suffered a stab wound to the chest and later died at Rhode Island Hospital.
Eze was later located and taken into custody.
The Suspect Has Been in the Country Since 2015
According to federal law enforcement sources, Eze first entered the United States on a B-2 tourist visa in 2015. His visa was extended twice under the Obama administration before he remained in the country after his authorized stay expired.
In September 2022, the Biden administration reportedly approved Eze's request for deferred action. He applied for deferred action again in February and October 2025, with the October request approved under the Trump administration on Oct. 8, 2025.
Deferred action is a discretionary decision by the federal government to temporarily delay an individual's removal from the country. It does not provide lawful immigration status.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Eze applied for employment authorization in August 2023, but the request was rejected the following month. He applied again in February 2025 based on deferred action, and DHS said that application remains pending.
According to DHS, Eze will lose his deferred action if he is convicted of murder.
