Deer Park resident Keyonna Waddell found guilty of first-degree assault for throwing explosive device into boyfriend's bedroom

A Suffolk County jury found a Deer Park woman accused of throwing an explosive device in her boyfriend’s bedroom — resulting in the loss of his hand — guilty of first-degree assault on Friday, district attorney Ray Tierney said.

Keyonna Waddell, 35, threw a device that looked like a stick of dynamite in her boyfriend’s bedroom following a 2024 argument at his apartment, Tierney said in a statement. The jury also found Waddell guilty of first-degree criminal possession of a weapon, Tierney said.

Waddell had threatened the victim with dynamite several times in the months leading up to the incident, according to prosecutors.

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

Waddell is scheduled to return to Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz’s court for sentencing on May 27. She faces up to 25 years in prison.

"She still maintains her innocence," Waddell’s attorney, Eric Besso of Sayville, said in a phone interview.

Prosecutors said Waddell and the victim had an argument at his apartment. The boyfriend left the apartment and instructed Waddell to leave as well. When the boyfriend returned home, Waddell did not appear to be there, and he went to bed. He was awoken by a hissing noise and saw a flame on the floor of his room.

The victim realized the object looked like a stick of dynamite and attempted unsuccessfully to extinguish the flame. He then attempted to throw it outside, but the device detonated in his hand. He felt searing pain and realized part of his hand was gone, prosecutors said.

The victim ran to the end of the driveway and saw Waddell fleeing on foot. He was taken to Nassau University Medical Center, where the remaining portion of his hand and part of his arm was amputated.

Waddell was arrested the following day. Tierney said.