A New York woman has been convicted in a shocking domestic violence case after prosecutors said she used a lit stick of dynamite in an attack that left her boyfriend permanently maimed.
Keyonna Waddell, 35, was found guilty of assault and criminal possession of a weapon following a jury trial stemming from a March 2024 incident in Suffolk County. She now faces up to 25 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 27.
According to Raymond Tierney, the incident began with a verbal altercation between Waddell and the victim at his apartment. After being asked to leave, both individuals exited the residence.
The victim later returned home alone and went to sleep, unaware of what would follow.
Prosecutors said the victim was awakened by a “hissing sound” and flames inside his bedroom. When he investigated, he discovered a lit stick of dynamite. In a desperate attempt to prevent further destruction, he tried to extinguish the fuse and then picked up the device to throw it out of a window.
He did not make it in time.
The explosive detonated while still in his hand.
“He felt searing pain and realized that his hand was gone,” Tierney said in a statement describing the victim’s account.
The blast caused catastrophic injuries, leading to the surgical removal of the victim’s hand and part of his arm. Authorities said the victim managed to escape the home and, once outside, saw Waddell fleeing the scene on foot.
Investigators later determined that Waddell had allegedly threatened the victim with dynamite on multiple occasions in the months leading up to the attack, a detail prosecutors argued demonstrated intent.
She was arrested the following day.
The case has drawn widespread attention for the extreme nature of the violence, highlighting ongoing concerns about domestic disputes escalating into life-altering incidents. Prosecutors stressed the severity of using an explosive device in a residential setting, noting the potential for even greater harm.
Waddell remains in custody as she awaits sentencing.
