You expect to see tourists, yellow cabs, and city lights in Manhattan—not homemade bombs hidden on rooftops or tossed onto subway tracks.
But that’s exactly what federal investigators say happened when 55-year-old Michael Gann, a man with a long rap sheet and a disturbing online presence, allegedly carried out a terrifying plan using improvised explosive devices right in the middle of New York City.
Arrest Sparks Federal Terror Charges
Gann, a resident of Inwood in upper Manhattan, was arrested on June 5 in SoHo with a bomb in his bag.
But that wasn’t all. According to federal prosecutors, just hours earlier, he had thrown another device onto the tracks near the Williamsburg Bridge and stashed multiple others on nearby residential rooftops.
Law enforcement moved quickly, and thankfully, no one was hurt.
Officials Warn of a Major Public Safety Threat
Federal officials didn’t mince words. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said Gann “put countless lives at risk” with his actions, which included building explosives and placing them in highly populated areas.
“Thanks to swift work by our law enforcement partners,” Clayton added, “a tragedy was avoided.”
Bombs Built Using Online Materials
Authorities believe Gann built at least seven IEDs using chemicals like potassium perchlorate and aluminum powder, which he bought online.
He allegedly ran two test explosions in June, one of which temporarily blinded a bystander, before assembling the bombs with cardboard tubes and fuses.
Devices Found on Rooftops and Subway Tracks
Investigators say five devices were hidden on residential rooftops in SoHo, accompanied by shotgun shells that could be used in combination with the bombs.
One was thrown onto an active subway track, and another was found in the bag he was carrying at the time of his arrest.
Social Media Posts Raised Red Flags
In the lead-up to his arrest, Gann posted an ominous message on Instagram: “Who wants me to go out to play like no tomorrow?” That wasn’t his only troubling comment.
Back in March, he tagged the official POTUS account on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting the President should “drop a bomb” on New York amid civil unrest.
Online Searches Revealed a Sinister Plan
The investigation uncovered a series of disturbing internet searches made by Gann in May and June, including “how to make flash powder from household items,” “black powder nearby,” and “3D gun printing.”
He even looked up information on background checks for firearms.
FBI and NYPD Praise Fast Response
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized how dangerous the situation was, saying Gann “traveled to New York City with deadly devices” and had already begun deploying them.
FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia added that it was the collaboration between agencies that likely prevented innocent people from getting hurt.
What Investigators Found and What Gann Claimed
After his arrest, Gann claimed he had thrown out the remaining chemicals and ammunition in a Manhattan dumpster.
But investigators later found explosive materials in a Chelsea dumpster.
When arrested, he was carrying not just a bomb but binoculars, a knife, and a torch lighter—and warned agents not to light a match near the bag, or there “could be a big fireball.”
A Long Rap Sheet and Serious Charges
Gann has a lengthy criminal history, including 30 prior arrests and three felony convictions.
Now, he’s facing federal terrorism-related charges.
These include attempted destruction of property with explosives (which comes with a minimum five-year sentence), unlawful possession of a destructive device, and transportation of explosives—each carrying up to 10 years in prison.
The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit, with Judge Dale E. Ho presiding.