Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
It is unclear how she got her hands on the dynamite.
When a romantic relationship breaks down, the fallout is usually limited to raised voices and hurt feelings.
Even under those circumstances, most people expect their own bedroom to remain a safe haven during tough times.
For one man however, that sense of security was shattered in the most extreme way imaginable.
What happened?
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney explained in a press release that the violent incident followed a verbal dispute between a couple in New York.
The victim and his girlfriend argued at his apartment in March 2024, and after the man asked 35-year-old Keyonna Waddell to leave, the two parted ways for the day.
The man later returned to his home to sleep, completely unaware of the danger waiting for him.
According to the District Attorney, the victim was suddenly “awoken by a hissing sound” in the dark. He opened his eyes to find a fire burning right inside his bedroom.
Hand gone
The man approached the flames and quickly realized a lit stick of dynamite was sitting in his room.
He immediately tried to put out the fuse, but when the attempt failed, he picked up the explosive to toss it outside. Unfortunately, he was out of time, and the stick exploded in his hand.
Describing the gruesome aftermath, Tierney stated: “He felt searing pain and realized that his hand was gone.”
The injured man then rushed outside, where he reportedly spotted Waddell running away from the property.
Guily, sentence pending
The explosive blast caused severe and permanent physical trauma to the victim. Tierney noted that the man had to undergo surgery to amputate his ruined hand and a section of his arm.
Investigators soon discovered a disturbing pattern of behaviour leading up to the attack. According to the press release, authorities found that Waddell “had threatened the victim with dynamite several times” in the preceding months.
A jury convicted Waddell of assault and criminal possession, and she now awaits a sentencing hearing scheduled for May 27, where she could receive up to 25 years in prison.
According to the New York State Department of Labor, it is illegal to be in posession, handle or store dynamite without proper permits. It is unclear how the woman got her hands on the dynamite.
Sources: Suffolk County District Attorney press release, Law&Order, New York State Department of Labor
