Manhattan bomb plotter accused of stashing homemade explosives on subway tracks and rooftops
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A New York man is facing federal terror charges after allegedly building homemade bombs and hiding them across Manhattan.
Michael Gann, 55, of Inwood, was arrested on June 5 in SoHo carrying an improvised explosive device (IED) in his bag, just hours after he allegedly tossed another onto the Williamsburg Bridge subway tracks and stashed several more on nearby rooftops, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Authorities say the homemade explosives, some packed with shotgun shells, posed a serious threat to public safety.
‘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,’ U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton said.
‘Thanks to swift work by our law enforcement partners, no one was harmed. That vigilance assuredly prevented a tragedy in New York.’
Michael Gann (pictured), 55, was arrested on June 5 in SoHo carrying an improvised explosive device (IED) in his bag, just hours after he allegedly tossed another onto the Williamsburg Bridge subway tracks and stashed several more on nearby rooftops
Authorities say the homemade explosives (pictured), some packed with shotgun shells, posed a serious threat to public safety
A sixth device was thrown onto the subway tracks, and a seventh was recovered from his bag during his June 5 arrest. Pictured: A homemade explosive device sits on an active subway track in New York City
According to prosecutors, Gann used chemicals purchased online – including potassium perchlorate and aluminum powder – to construct at least seven IEDs.
He allegedly tested the explosive mixtures twice in June, once blinding a bystander temporarily, before assembling the devices using cardboard tubes and fuses.
Investigators say Gann kept at least five bombs on residential rooftops in SoHo, along with four shotgun shells intended for use with the devices.
A sixth device was thrown onto the subway tracks, and a seventh was recovered from his bag during his June 5 arrest.
Investigators say Gann kept at least five bombs on residential rooftops in SoHo, along with four shotgun shells intended for use with the devices. Pictured: Michael Gann on a rooftop in NYC
‘This defendant allegedly stockpiled homemade explosives and traveled to New York City with these deadly devices,’ NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said.
‘He threw one of these devices onto an active subway track and stored others on the rooftop of a residential building, but because of the skilled investigative work and swift response from the NYPD and our partners, we were able to intervene before he caused any harm.’
