A disturbing plot to sow terror in New York City was uncovered this week as federal authorities arrested 55-year-old Michael Gann, a Manhattan resident accused of building and planting at least seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs) throughout the city.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Gann’s homemade bombs were scattered across high-risk areas including rooftops of apartment buildings in SoHo and even the subway tracks on the Williamsburg Bridge—one of the city’s busiest and most iconic crossings. The bridge carries not only vehicles and pedestrians but also a major subway line, which means the potential for mass casualties was enormous.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton praised the work of law enforcement, saying their rapid response prevented what could have been a deadly catastrophe. “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,” he said. “Thanks to swift work by our law enforcement partners, no one was harmed.”
Investigators say Gann used dangerous materials including potassium perchlorate and aluminum powder. One device was packed with 30 grams of explosive powder—600 times the legal limit for consumer fireworks—and some were rigged with shotgun shells to maximize shrapnel damage. Authorities believe these weren’t crude firecrackers but highly lethal weapons capable of mass destruction.
The indictment lists multiple serious charges against Gann, including attempted destruction of property by means of explosives (which carries up to 20 years in prison), transportation of explosive materials (up to 10 years), and unlawful possession of destructive devices (another 10 years). He is currently in federal custody.
What’s more chilling is what agents discovered about Gann’s motivations and mindset. The indictment reveals that he posted a bizarre message addressed to President Donald Trump in late March, referencing the National Guard and “building a wall.” His social media posts suggest a man unraveling—one who seemed to fantasize about chaos.
A review by RedState of the social media accounts linked to Gann depicts a troubled individual with a history of panhandling, gambling losses, and radical political imagery. His profile showed a rainbow-colored communist fist and slogans like “fight the power.” On the eve of his arrest, he cryptically wrote, “Who wants me to go out to play like no tomorrow?”—a phrase authorities believe was a reference to unleashing the IEDs.
Police found another explosive in his possession when he was apprehended, raising concerns that there may be additional devices still hidden throughout the city. Investigators continue to sweep rooftops and subway infrastructure in search of overlooked explosives.
While it remains unclear what Gann hoped to achieve or whether he was aligned with any larger organization, his messages and symbolism suggest a fusion of radical leftist ideology and personal disillusionment. He reportedly idolized revolution imagery and voiced grievances about his economic struggles and life on the margins.
The case is already sparking questions about domestic extremism and how someone with such clear warning signs was able to build and plant multiple bombs before being stopped. Some are calling it a near miss on par with the 2010 Times Square car bomb attempt—only this time, the attacker may have been steps away from triggering deadly results in multiple locations.
As the federal case against Gann proceeds, New Yorkers are left to grapple with the frightening reality that one man nearly turned the city into a war zone. Authorities are urging vigilance and asking the public to report any suspicious activity as they comb through the aftermath.