In a startling case from New York, a woman was convicted after reportedly hurling a homemade dynamite stick at her sleeping boyfriend, resulting in the loss of his hand as he tried to dispose of the explosive.
Keyonna Waddell, aged 35 and residing in Deer Park on Long Island, was found guilty by a jury on Friday. The charges include first-degree assault and first-degree criminal possession of a weapon, linked to the incident that occurred in March 2024.
Authorities from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office revealed that Waddell had repeatedly threatened her partner with dynamite in the months before the attack.
On Friday, 35-year-old Keyonna Waddell was convicted by a jury of first-degree assault and first-degree criminal possession of a weapon. (Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office)
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney emphasized the severe nature of domestic violence, stating, “This case serves as a stark reminder of how such violence can escalate to life-threatening proportions.”
The altercation occurred on March 22, 2024, when Waddell and her boyfriend engaged in a dispute inside his apartment, as reported by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
After the dispute, the man left the apartment and told Waddell to leave. When he arrived back home, Waddell did not appear to be there, and he went to sleep.
Keyonna Waddell had threatened the victim with dynamite several times in the months leading up to the incident, prosecutors said. (Getty Images)
He was later woken up by a hissing sound and noticed a flame on the floor of his bedroom. He then realized that a stick of dynamite had been thrown into his bedroom and attempted to toss the explosive device out of the window, but it detonated and blew off most of his hand before he was able to throw it out of harm’s way.
The victim then ran out of his home to the driveway, at which point he saw Waddell running away.
He was subsequently rushed to the hospital, where the remainder of his hand and part of his arm were amputated.
The victim had the remainder of his hand and part of his arm amputated. (Suffolk County Police Department)
Waddell was arrested the following day, officials said. Her sentencing is scheduled for May 27, and she could face up to 25 years in prison.
“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,” Tierney said in his statement.
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