Man Charged in Alleged NYC Homemade Bomb Plot

The Arrest of a Suspected Bombmaker in New York City

Law enforcement officials have revealed new information about the arrest of a suspected bombmaker in New York City. The individual, identified as Michael Gann, 55, is facing federal charges for allegedly constructing and placing homemade explosives across the city. Authorities claim that his actions put countless lives at risk.

Gann, who grew up in a Long Island neighborhood, has a history of instability and periods of homelessness. According to those who knew him, he was troubled and had difficulty maintaining a stable life. His alleged actions have now led to serious legal consequences, with federal prosecutors accusing him of assembling multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and distributing them throughout the city.

The investigation into Gann began after law enforcement received a tip regarding suspicious online activity. It appears that Gann ordered materials necessary for making explosives and had them delivered to an address in Nassau County. This led to an arrest in SoHo last month, where the FBI and police discovered five undetonated IEDs placed on residential rooftops in the same neighborhood. Another bomb was found on the subway tracks of the Williamsburg Bridge.

NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Rebecca Weiner described the severity of the devices. “Six-hundred times the explosive power of a firecracker in some of these devices, small, incredibly powerful and clear from his internet search that he was interested in creating flash powder and looked at chlorine bombs,” she said.

Federal prosecutors have identified Gann as the suspect, linking him to Inwood, Long Island. A man who knew Gann’s mother spoke exclusively with Eyewitness News, sharing insights into Gann’s background. He described Gann as “crazy” and admitted that he tried to help him but ultimately felt he was a lost cause. The man recalled watching Gann grow up and even allowing him to use his Inwood home address for receiving mail until recently.

The man shared a story about the last time he saw Gann. “The last time I saw him is when I chased him off my property, when he had that package that was delivered here, and I found out what he had, I told him to take it and get away from here,” he said. He mentioned that the contents of the package, which included a powder and an oxidizer, raised concerns. “I really didn’t know what it was until he told me it was an explosive,” he added.

Prosecutors state that Gann constructed at least seven IEDs using chemicals, cardboard tubes, and fuses obtained online. Five of these were found on SoHo rooftops, while another was discovered on the subway tracks. On Wednesday, a grand jury indicted Gann on three counts, including attempted destruction of property by means of explosives and unlawful possession of destructive devices.

The man who knew Gann also shared some of the suspect's past behaviors. “He always got involved in things, you know, like he shot himself once, he had a rifle, I don't know how he got a hold of a rifle, he kept it in his pants and he went to take it out and it went off and he shot his foot,” he said.

In addition to the physical evidence, prosecutors allege that Gann posted an encrypted message on Instagram that read, “Who wants me to go out to play like no tomorrow?” While no one was harmed, the motive behind his alleged plan remains unclear.

Eyewitness News has reached out to Gann’s attorney for comment but has not yet received a response. As the case continues to unfold, authorities are working to understand the full scope of Gann’s actions and the potential risks he posed to the public.