FBI Foils Attack In New York That Could Have Killed Thousands

A man from New York is currently facing federal charges for allegedly creating and storing homemade explosives in various locations around Manhattan, including active subway tracks and residential rooftops.

Michael Gann, 55, from Inwood, was charged on Tuesday with the manufacture of at least seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs) using chemicals he acquired online, as stated by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton.

Authorities report that Gann allegedly threw an IED onto the subway tracks of the Williamsburg Bridge and stored explosives, including shotgun rounds, on rooftops of residential buildings in Manhattan.

“The safety of New Yorkers is of utmost importance. As alleged, Michael Gann constructed explosive devices, stored them on a rooftop in SoHo, and threw one onto the subway tracks—endangering countless lives. Thanks to the prompt actions of our law enforcement partners, no one was harmed. This vigilance undoubtedly averted a tragedy in New York,” Clayton remarked in a statement.

According to authorities, Gann’s alleged activities included tossing an IED onto the subway tracks of the Williamsburg Bridge and hoarding explosives, some of which contained shotgun shells, above Manhattan apartment buildings.

He was apprehended on June 5 while in possession of another device, officials reported. On Instagram that same day, Gann allegedly posted, “Who wants me to go out to play like no tomorrow?”

FBI Assistant Director Christopher Raia praised the “swift partnership” among agencies for preventing Gann from causing harm. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch noted that the coordinated effort “intervened before he could inflict any damage.”

“This defendant is accused of stockpiling homemade explosives and traveling to New York City with these dangerous devices,” Tisch stated in the release.

“He threw one of these devices onto an active subway track and stored others on the rooftop of a residential building, but due to the skilled investigative efforts and rapid response from the NYPD and our partners, we were able to intervene before he caused any harm.”

The case is currently being prosecuted by the National Security and International Narcotics Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office. The prosecution is spearheaded by Assistant US Attorneys Jonathan L. Bodansky, Michael D. Lockard, and Chelsea L. Scism, along with Special Assistant US Attorney Julie Isaacson.

Gann faces charges for one count of attempting to destroy property using explosives (with a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20), one count of transporting explosive materials (with a maximum sentence of ten), and one count of unauthorized possession of destructive devices (also with a maximum of ten).

Earlier this week, the bureau garnered attention when FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino revealed that the bureau had dismantled a significant Chinese espionage operation within the United States, which included agents actively working to recruit American service members to betray their nation.

In a statement shared on X, Bongino indicated that the FBI executed eight search warrants and made two arrests in San Francisco, Houston, Portland, and San Diego as part of this operation. He characterized the spy ring as “sophisticated” and directly linked to the Chinese government.

“This is your FBI, and you have the right to be informed about the efforts we undertake daily to ensure the safety of our country and its citizens,” Bongino stated.

This operation follows a series of incidents earlier this year in which U.S. Army personnel were discovered passing sensitive information to the People’s Republic of China, which Bongino referred to as “treason-adjacent espionage.”

According to the FBI, the foreign agents were attempting to acquire U.S. defense secrets and advanced technologies, including missile and drone capabilities, while also engaging in surveillance and intimidation efforts on American soil.

Since January 2025, the FBI has apprehended 51 foreign intelligence agents from countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The charges against them range from economic espionage and evasion of sanctions to theft of classified information and smuggling of biological materials.

Bongino stated that the bureau currently has almost 5,000 active counterintelligence cases, with over 800 new cases initiated this year alone.