An FBI tip about a “martyrdom video” sparked the RCMP investigation in southwestern Ontario that ended with the death of 24-year-old Aaron Driver death.

Police said Driver was planning an imminent attack in an urban centre.

RCMP Deputy Commissioner of Federal Policing Mike Cabana said, “based on info, (the attack) was going to take place in the following 72 hours.”

The video warned Canada had to pay for attacks on Muslims, and that the solution was bloodshed.

Police won't say how the FBI obtained the video, but it put authorities around the country on high alert.

“All involved agencies took immediate action as soon as the information was received,” said Cabana.

Hours after learning about the threat, RCMP officers identified Driver as the masked suspect.

Police went to the home in Strathroy, Ontario where he lived with his sister.

“We had the house contained, but we weren't still aware at that point there was anyone in the residence,” said Jennifer Strachan, the RCMP assistant commissioner.

RCMP said Driver managed to get out of the house quickly and jump into a waiting taxi, where he detonated an explosive device.

The taxi driver suffered minor injuries.

Police discharged their firearms, but an autopsy will determine how he died.

RCMP began investigating the suspected homegrown terrorist in 2014 after a complaint about tweets he posted under an alias Twitter account, which condoned terror attacks.

That investigation started while Driver lived at a Winnipeg address.

Police arrested him at that home on terror charges last June.

“At the time of his arrest, his residence was searched, and investigators found a recipe to make homemade explosives on his home computer,” said Cabana.

Charges weren't laid - instead a peace bond with 11 conditions sent Driver to live in Strathroy in July 2015.

It also said he couldn't possess weapons or explosives. He wasn't to communicate with any terrorist groups, or own a passport.

“Did we have any indication in the days, weeks, months prior to yesterday that he was planning something? No, we did not,” said Cabana.

Investigators don't yet know what materials Driver acquired or what the explosive consisted of.

They couldn’t confirm where he planned to target specifically, only that it was likely an urban centre during rush hour.

The RCMP said they believe he had no accomplices.

“The sure fact was, if he had gotten out of that residence before we got there, the scenario would have ended a lot differently,” said Strachan.

On Thursday, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale praised law enforcement involved for their “exceptional work.” He also thanked the FBI for its assistance.

“It’s important for Canadians to know that whenever credible information is obtained about a potential terrorist threat, our police and security agencies take the appropriate steps to ensure the safety of our country and its citizens,” said Goodale.

He urged Canadians to “remain alert to the dangers of terrorism” and report suspicious activity to local police or the national security call centre at 1-800-420-5805.