Keyonna Waddell, 35, was convicted of assault in the first degree after hurling a stick of dynamite at her sleeping boyfriend following a heated argument, causing the victim to lose his hand in the explosion
Keyonna Waddell, 35, was found guilty(Image: Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office)
A New York woman faces up to 25 years imprisonment after being found guilty of throwing a stick of dynamite at her sleeping boyfriend.
Keyonna Waddell, 35, was convicted following a jury trial on charges of assault in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the first degree, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.
A statement from the Suffolk County Attorney’s office disclosed the assault occurred on March 22, 2024, in Suffolk County, New York, after Waddell and her partner rowed inside his flat, prompting the victim to depart and instruct Waddell to leave as well.
Upon returning home, the victim found no sign of Waddell and went to bed. He was startled awake by a hissing sound and noticed a flame on his bedroom floor. Getting out of bed, he realised that what seemed to be a stick of dynamite had been thrown into his room. His efforts to put out the device proved unsuccessful, prompting him to seize it and try to hurl it outside, reports the Mirror US.
Before he could reach the door, however, the explosive detonated in his hand. He was struck by agonising pain and realised his hand had been blown off. Racing to the end of his driveway, he saw Waddell making her escape on foot. Court papers show the victim was rushed by police to Nassau University Medical Centre, where the rest of his hand and part of his arm had to be amputated.
Waddell was arrested on March 23, 2024, after an investigation revealed she had repeatedly threatened the victim with dynamite in the months leading up to the attack.
“Domestic violence can escalate to deadly levels, and this case is a sobering reminder of that reality,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Thanks to the outstanding work of our prosecutors and the Suffolk County Police Department, a dangerous individual has been held accountable and will face a lengthy prison sentence for this horrific act.”
On April 24, 2026, after a jury trial overseen by Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz, Waddell was convicted of assault in the first degree, a Class B violent felony, and criminal possession of a weapon in the first degree, also a Class B violent felony.
Waddell is due back in court for sentencing on May 27, 2026, where she could be handed up to 25 years in prison. She is being represented by Attorney Eric Besso.
The prosecution is being led by Assistant District Attorney Dana Castaldo from the child abuse and domestic violence bureau, working alongside Assistant District Attorney Jacob DeLauter from the major crime bureau. The investigation was conducted by Detective John Caraccia of the Suffolk County Police Department’s first squad, with backing from Suffolk County District Attorney’s office research analysts Thomas Kolacki and Brooke Baade.
