A man has been charged for allegedly crafting and attempting to detonate homemade explosives in New York City.
Federal prosecutors say 55-year-old Michael Gann, who lives in Inwood, New York, used chemicals bought online last month to manufacture multiple explosive devices.
Authorities allege Gann transported the bombs to Manhattan, where he stored several on connected rooftops of residential buildings in the SoHo neighborhood and hurled one on to subway tracks on the Williamsburg Bridge.
Though no injuries were reported, officials underscored the potential danger. One of the devices Gann created reportedly held about an ounce of explosive material, roughly 600 times what is legally allowed in consumer-grade fireworks.
“As alleged, Michael Gann built explosive devices, stored them on a rooftop in SoHo, and threw one on to the subway tracks – putting countless lives at risk,” said Jay Clayton, interim US attorney for the southern district of New York, in a statement.
A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Gann, charging him with attempted destruction of property using explosives, transporting explosive materials and illegally possessing destructive devices. According to prosecutors, if found guilty on all charges and sentenced consecutively, he could face up to 40 years behind bars.
The indictment details that in or around May 2025, Gann bought around 2lb of potassium perchlorate and 1lb of aluminum powder, both considered precursor ingredients for explosives. He also ordered more than 200 cardboard tubes and more than 50ft of fuse.
Investigators claim Gann used the materials to create at least seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs). After receiving his shipments, he allegedly combined the chemicals, ignited a sample and caused an explosion before assembling the IEDs.
Additionally, investigators say Gann conducted internet searches related to explosives and firearms, which included: “will i pass a background check”, “gun background check test”, “3D gun printing”, “gun stores”, “chlorine bomb”, “1/2 stick dynamite” and “how to make flash powder from household items”, among several others.
He was taken into custody “on or around June 5” near the SoHo buildings where he had reportedly stashed some of the devices. A seventh bomb was found on his person at the time of the arrest, according to the indictment.
Authorities said Gann misled officers during questioning, falsely claiming he had discarded the explosives and related materials in a dumpster.
