Long Island Man Threw IED Onto New York Subway Tracks: Prosecutors
7 hours ago
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A man has been charged after allegedly throwing an improvised explosive device (IED) onto New York City subway tracks.
Michael Gann, 55, of Inwood, Long Island, has been accused of throwing an IED onto subway tracks, of storing at least five other explosive devices in Manhattan, and of carrying one IED on his person in June 2025.
He is facing charges of attempted destruction of property by means of explosives, transportation of explosive materials, and unlawful possession of destructive devices, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York, on Tuesday.
Newsweek has contacted the NYPD and as well as Gann’s attorney via email for comment outside of regular office hours.
Main: The IED found on the Williamsburg Bridge Inset: Gann pictured on March 29, 2025 Main: The IED found on the Williamsburg Bridge Inset: Gann pictured on March 29, 2025 US District Court Southern District of New York indictment
Why It Matters
The IED was found on tracks on the Williamsburg Bridge, which an average of nearly 90,000 vehicles, more than 8,500 cyclists and 4,000 pedestrians used every day in 2024, according to the New York Department of Transportation.
The Williamsburg Bridge carries the J, M, and Z trains between Manhattan and Brooklyn. Over 6 million people have used Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) services every day in 2025, per the New York Governor’s Office.
What To Know
Gann was arrested by police on June 5 allegedly with an IED on his person. The indictment says he told officers he had thrown his chemicals and shotgun shells into a dumpster. Gann allegedly stored five explosives and four shotgun shells on rooftops in SoHo.
Hours prior to his arrest on June 5, prosecutors say he had posted to Instagram saying, “Who wants me to go out to play like no tomorrow?”
According to the U.S. District Court Southern District of New York indictment against Gann, the IEDs were made with precursor chemicals bought online. Precursor chemicals are chemicals that combine to create an explosion.
The indictment says he had posted to X (formerly Twitter) on March 27, 2025, saying: “Dear @POTUS, I’m thinking just now here in NYC that it’s too bad that the wall wasn’t built before the National Guard would have to come here for the Protests and Riotation or would you just drop a bomb on this place while and because they seem to be coming and coming?
The indictment then alleges that Gann researched explosives and firearms online in or around May and June 2025.
According to prosecutors, his searches included: “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.”
Prosecutors allege that Gann placed his online chemical order on or around May 30, and received and experimented with them, causing an explosion, on or around June 4.
Nobody was harmed by Gann’s alleged actions.
What People Are Saying
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said in a press release: “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.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said in a press release: “This defendant allegedly stockpiled homemade explosives and traveled to New York City with these deadly devices. 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. I am grateful to the members of the NYPD, FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for all the work they do every day to keep New Yorkers safe.”
What Happens Next
If convicted and given concurrent sentences, Gann could face up to 40 years in prison.
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