Deer Park Woman Threw Explosive At Sleeping Boyfriend, Blowing Off His Hand: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. — A Deer Park woman was convicted Friday after a jury trial of hurling an explosive device into her boyfriend’s bedroom while he slept, causing catastrophic injuries that led to the amputation of his hand and part of his arm, prosecutors said.

Keyonna Waddell, 35, was found guilty of first-degree assault and first-degree criminal possession of a weapon, both Class B violent felonies, following a trial before Richard Horowitz.

According to prosecutors, the violent attack unfolded on March 22, 2024, following an argument between Waddell and the victim inside his apartment.

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After the dispute, the victim left the residence and instructed Waddell to leave. When he returned later that night, Waddell appeared to be gone, and he went to sleep.

He was later awakened by a hissing sound and saw a flame burning on the floor of his bedroom. As he got up to investigate, he realized that an object resembling a stick of dynamite had been thrown into the room.

The victim first attempted to extinguish the device but was unsuccessful. In a desperate effort to protect himself and his home, he picked up the explosive and tried to carry it outside.
Before he could make it out of the house, the device detonated in his hand.

The explosion caused devastating injuries. Prosecutors said the victim immediately felt searing pain and realized his hand had been blown off.

Despite the severity of his injuries, he ran to the end of his driveway, where he saw Waddell fleeing the scene on foot.

Police transported him to Nassau University Medical Center, where doctors were forced to amputate the remainder of his hand and part of his arm.

The investigation revealed that Waddell had threatened the victim with dynamite multiple times in the months leading up to the attack, prosecutors said.

She was arrested the following day, March 23, 2024, after an investigation led by Suffolk County Police.

Following the jury’s guilty verdict on April 24, Waddell is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on May 27, and faces up to 25 years in prison, prosecutors said.

Waddell is represented by defense attorney Eric Besso, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The conviction closes a case prosecutors described as a premeditated and escalating act of domestic violence that left the victim permanently disfigured and underscored the dangers of repeated threats that turn into action.

“Domestic violence can escalate to deadly levels, and this case is a sobering reminder of that reality,” Tierney said. “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.”