Authorities report that a 55-year-old man from New York utilized AI to assist him in creating explosive devices intended for detonation in Manhattan.
Michael Gunn, hailing from Long Island, New York, faces accusations of assembling several homemade bombs with the aid of AI, according to recent reports.
The individual, charged by federal prosecutors earlier this week, allegedly transported a bomb from Long Island to Manhattan, storing five and four shotgun shells on the rooftop of an apartment located in the Soho area.
Court documents reveal that Gunn, who is under suspicion for planning to merge the shotgun shells with one or more explosive devices, ordered two household chemicals online to concoct improvised explosives.
One of his devices contained approximately 30 grams of explosive powder, which is about 600 times the permissible limit for consumer fireworks.
An eyewitness with military experience reportedly informed the FBI that Gunn had asked him, “What kind of veteran are you?” before admitting, “I see a problem happening in my neighborhood and don’t do anything about it,” while he was mixing explosives on Long Island. The charges further allege that Gunn then pointed toward a Jewish school.
On June 5, he was monitored, and during a conversation, he reportedly shared that he had “lit one of the devices near the East River on FDR Drive” – an explosion followed, alarming the witness.
Later that day, authorities spotted Gunn walking with a shoulder bag. Upon being approached by agents, he stated he was going to a fire station to dispose of his device, according to the complaint.
Witnesses also indicated to law enforcement that Gunn was contemplating getting rid of the remaining five bombs either by tossing them into the river or by surrendering them to the New York City Fire Department.
After his arrest, Gunn allegedly expressed to authorities that he “wanted to learn about chemicals that make fireworks and use artificial intelligence to purchase and mix them.”
Gunn is accused of having initially created four bombs, reportedly tossing three of them from the Williamsburg Bridge. Of those, two fell into the water, while a third landed on a train, where it was eventually recovered.
“Gunn is said to have manufactured multiple improvised explosive devices intended for deployment in Manhattan,” stated Christopher Leia, the head of the FBI’s New York Field office. “Thanks to effective law enforcement collaboration in New York, we were able to bring Gunn to trial swiftly before any innocent civilians were harmed.”
Officials indicated that Gunn seems to be acting independently, without any affiliation to a larger group.
