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Man faces terror charges for planting homemade bombs at multiple locations in Manhattan

July 23, 2025 | | Print Article

A New York man is facing federal terrorism charges after he allegedly built and stashed a slew of homemade bombs at multiple locations in Manhattan, including on subway tracks and at residential buildings.

On Tuesday, the US Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York announced that 55-year-old Michael Gann of Inwood was charged with making and distributing at least seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs) using precursor chemicals that he obtained online.

Gann then tossed one of his bombs onto the Williamsburg Bridge subway tracks and stashed several more on the rooftops of residential buildings, “putting countless lives at risk,” according to a statement from the SDNY.

Law enforcement officials arrested Gann on June 5, finding one of the IEDs on him. According to authorities, the suspect took to Instagram on the same day to post the ominous message: “Who wants me to go out to play like no tomorrow?”

(Image: SDNY)

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In a press release posted to the SDNY website, the prosecutor’s office announced the charges against Gann, “alleging that he manufactured at least seven improvised explosive devices (‘IEDs’) using precursor chemicals—chemicals that can be combined to create an explosive mixture—that he had ordered on the internet, stored at least five IEDs and shotgun shells on adjoining rooftops of residential apartment buildings in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan, threw at least one IED onto the subway tracks of the Williamsburg Bridge, and subsequently lied to law enforcement about having disposed of his explosives and supplies in a dumpster.”

“The safety of New Yorkers is paramount,” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement. “As alleged, Michael Gann built explosive devices, stored them on a rooftop in SoHo, and threw one onto the subway tracks—putting countless lives at risk. Thanks to swift work by our law enforcement partners, no one was harmed. That vigilance assuredly prevented a tragedy in New York.”

(Image: SDNY)

According to SDNY: “In or about May and June 2025, GANN conducted internet searches related to explosives and firearms, including: ‘will i pass a background check,’ ‘gun background check test,’ ‘can i buy a gun in any state without ffl [federal firearms license],’ ‘3D gun printing,’ ‘gun stores,’ ‘clorine bomb,’ ‘how to make flash powder from household items,’ ‘what to mix with potassium perchlorate to make flash powder,’ ‘alluminum powder,’ ‘black powder nearby,’ ‘quarter stick m1000 firecracker,’ ‘1/2 stick dynamite,’ and ‘rechargeable nail gun to shoot into steal.’”

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“Michael Gann allegedly produced multiple improvised explosive devices intended for use in Manhattan,” FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said in a statement. “Due to the successful partnership of law enforcement agencies in New York, Gann was swiftly brought to justice before he could harm innocent civilians shortly after his dangerous actions became known. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is enduring in its commitment and determination to protect the homeland.”

Gann faces multiple federal charges including “one count of attempted destruction of property by means of explosives, which carries a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of transportation of explosive materials, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and one count of unlawful possession of destructive devices, which also carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison,” according to the SDNY.

Chris Donaldson
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