Sami Osmakac was arrested after attempting to purchase explosives from an undercover operative. Shortly before his arrest, Osmakac made a video of himself explaining his motives and his goals in the attack. On January 1, he told undercover FBI agents he wanted to hit the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office, night clubs, and parked cars.
His plan included setting up multiple bombs which could be remotely detonated simultaneously, while he would attack with an AK-47 during the panic which would result after the explosions.