- Keyonna Waddell, 35, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for throwing a homemade explosive at her boyfriend.
- The attack, occurring during an argument, resulted in the victim losing a hand and part of his arm.
- Waddell had previously threatened the victim with dynamite multiple times before the incident.
SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK — A Long Island woman who threw a homemade explosive device into her sleeping boyfriend’s bedroom has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Keyonna Waddell, 35, received the sentence on May 27 after a jury found her guilty of first-degree assault and first-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
The attack left the victim without one hand and part of his arm.
Argument Before the Attack
The incident happened on March 22, 2024, inside the victim’s apartment.
According to prosecutors, Waddell and the victim had an argument. The man left the apartment and told Waddell to leave as well.
When he returned, Waddell did not appear to be there, so he went to bed.
Explosive Thrown Into Bedroom
The victim later woke up after hearing a hissing sound.
He saw what appeared to be a stick of dynamite burning on the floor of his bedroom. He tried to put out the flame but was unable to stop it.
The man then picked up the device and tried to throw it out of a window to protect himself and the apartment.
The explosive went off in his hand before he could throw it outside.
Victim Loses Hand and Part of Arm
The blast destroyed most of the victim’s hand.
He ran outside screaming for help and saw Waddell fleeing the area on foot, according to prosecutors.
Emergency responders took him to Nassau University Medical Center. Doctors later amputated the rest of his hand and part of his arm because of the damage caused by the explosion.
Previous Threats Involving Dynamite
Investigators arrested Waddell the following day.
The investigation found that she had allegedly threatened the victim with dynamite several times during the months before the attack.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney described the incident as a calculated act of domestic violence inside the victim’s own home.
Convicted After Jury Trial
A jury found Waddell guilty on April 24, 2026.
She was convicted of:
- First-degree assault
- First-degree criminal possession of a weapon
Both charges are Class B violent felonies in New York.
Sentenced to 18 Years
Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz sentenced Waddell to 18 years in prison.
She will also be required to serve five years of post-release supervision after completing her prison term.
Prosecutors said the sentence provides a measure of justice for a victim who survived an extreme act of domestic violence but will live with permanent injuries.
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