Michael Gann, of Inwood, charged with throwing homemade bomb on Williamsburg Bridge, feds say
This image allegedly of Michael Gann on the rooftop of a residential apartment building and carrying improvised explosive devices was taken from surveillance video and provided by the U.S. attorney's office. Credit: AP/Uncredited
An Inwood man has been indicted after he allegedly threw a homemade bomb onto the subway tracks of the Williamsburg Bridge and stored shotgun shells and multiple improvised explosive devices on the nearby roofs of apartment buildings in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The man, Michael Gann, 55, "manufactured at least seven improvised explosive devices ... using precursor chemicals — chemicals that can be combined to create an explosive mixture — that he had ordered on the internet," the department said Tuesday in a news release. He "subsequently lied to law enforcement about having disposed of his explosives and supplies in a dumpster."
One of the devices contained about an ounce of explosive powder — about 600 times the legal limit for consumer fireworks.
Gann couldn't be reached for comment. His attorney, Martin Samuel Cohen, who is court-appointed, didn't return a message left on his cellphone.
A photo showing what authorities say is an IED on the subway tracks of the Williamsburg Bridge. Credit: U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York
Gann is charged with attempted destruction of property by means of explosives, transportation of explosive materials and unlawful possession of destructive devices, the release said. He faces up to decades in prison.
He was caught "before he could harm innocent civilians shortly after his dangerous actions became known," the release said.
Hours before being arrested last month, in possession of an IED, he posted on Instagram, according to the release: "Who wants me to go out to play like no tomorrow?"
He also allegedly ran internet searches, including: "how to make flash powder from household items," and "what to mix with potassium perchlorate to make flash powder," the release said.
Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.
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