NYC man accused of throwing explosives off Williamsburg Bridge faces federal charges
A New York City man is facing federal charges after prosecutors say he built improvised explosive devices using instructions he found on the internet.
Michael Gann is accused of making at least seven explosives, and throwing some off the Williamsburg Bridge into the East River, between May and June of this year.
The 55-year-old from Inwood, who has has 30 prior arrests, including 28 convictions, was charged with attempted destruction of property by means of explosives, transportation of explosive materials and unlawful possession of destructive devices, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced Tuesday.
According to the indictment, he told law enforcement he was trying to make pyrotechnics and learned how to do it online.
Gann allegedly stored explosives on SoHo rooftops
Prosecutors say Gann set off an explosive on June 5 near the East River and the FDR Drive, and the blast apparently frightened him. According to the indictment, he told investigators he started to consider getting rid of the devices, either by throwing them into the river or by handing them over to the FDNY.
He is accused of throwing three devices from the Manhattan side of the Williamsburg Bridge, two of them landing in the water and one landing on subway tracks.
The indictment reveals he allegedly stored the explosives on rooftops of SoHo apartments, where investigators also found 30 grams of explosive powder -- more than 600 times the legal limit for consumer fireworks. Prosecutors say they found another device in his bag, and one in his pocket.
"Even a relatively small-looking device -- in this case 600 times the explosive power of a firework -- in close proximity of a subway car can be very damaging, even deadly," said Rebecca Weiner, the NYPD's deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism.
When asked how the police were tipped off to the suspect, Weiner said, "When items such as potassium perchlorate, ammonium powder, fuses are procured it trips wires."
NYPD concerned by suspect's alleged use of AI
Investigators say in May and June of this year Gann searched the internet for "3D gun printing," "clorine bomb [cq]," and "firework chemical equation." In early June, hours before his arrest, investigators say he posted to Instagram, "Who wants me to go out and play like there's no tomorrow?"
According to the criminal complaint, Gann told investigators he used artificial intelligence, or AI, to learn which chemicals to use and mix.
"This is a concern that we've been flagging for a couple of years now, just making it easier and easier for common individual to engage in bomb making," Weiner said.
Weiner said the suspect's intentions may never be known.
CBS News New York reached out to Gann's attorneys for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
