Man Who Used AI to Build Explosives Arrested After Device Found on Williamsburg Bridge Tracks

By Williamsburg 365 Staff

A man with a long criminal record was arrested in Manhattan after authorities discovered he had constructed multiple explosive devices using instructions he found through artificial intelligence and online videos.

Michael Gann, a man in his 50s with about 30 prior arrests and three felony convictions, was taken into custody last Thursday and charged in Manhattan Federal Court with illegal possession and transport of explosive materials.

According to federal court documents and law enforcement sources, Gann had built several homemade bombs, at least one of which was found abandoned on the subway tracks along the Williamsburg Bridge. Two others were apparently dumped into the East River, and a fourth was found in a bag he was carrying at the time of his arrest.

Investigators also recovered explosive chemicals and shotgun shells in a Chelsea dumpster.

Authorities say Gann had been staying in Inwood, Nassau County, and was flagged after making disturbing remarks to someone he had spoken with. A day before his arrest, he was reportedly seen mixing explosive chemicals in front of a military veteran. During the encounter, he pointed toward a nearby Jewish school and criticized the veteran for not taking action against “problems in the neighborhood.”

Though the school’s exact location was not made public, investigators say Gann had ordered perchlorates and other rocket-grade materials online, shipping them to his temporary address in Inwood.

At the time of his arrest, Gann told agents he was on his way to drop the bag off with the FDNY. He warned them not to ignite anything nearby, saying, “there could be a big fireball.” Inside the bag was a homemade device, binoculars, a pocketknife, and a torch lighter.

Documents state that Gann had previously tested his explosive concoctions, one of which caused a flash that temporarily blinded the veteran witness for about 20 seconds. Shortly before his arrest, Gann reportedly contacted the supplier from whom he bought the chemicals and asked to return them. The request was denied, and he was advised to dispose of them safely instead.

Officials described Gann as emotionally disturbed. His defense attorney has not responded to media inquiries.