By Seth Johnson

Fergus Falls Journal

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. — An alleged plot that involved robbing and burning a home and murdering the people inside has led to eight arrests, with charges as high as second-degree conspiracy to commit murder with intent.

A group of two adults and six teens — ranging in age from 16 to 19 — allegedly took two vehicles to a Pelican Rapids home Oct. 4 with bear mace, a crow bar, a lead pipe, a knife, a baseball bat, a machete and gasoline. Their alleged motive was to retrieve stolen marijuana and other drug related paraphernalia.

According to reports, their plan was for Branagen Theisen, 22, and a teen to go to the front door and buy marijuana. Once allowed in, the teen would spray bear mace, and the rest of the group would come in from strategic locations with the intent to murder the people inside. Following the murders, they planned to use the gasoline to set fire to the house and destroy the evidence.

When the vehicles got there, all but the vehicle drivers got out and took their positions. Theisen and one of the teens knocked on the door and were let in. When occupants of the house noticed Theisen had a knife, a fight broke out.

According to court reports, one person in the house, Fikret Saric, walked into the front yard and fired two gunshots, one of which struck the passenger side front door of an escape vehicles.

The following is a list of charges.

—Kimberly Dawn Ryan, 36, of Fergus Falls has been charged with second degree conspiracy to commit murder with intent and first-degree conspiracy to commit assault.

—Zack Otis Stewart, 18, of Erhard has been charged with second-degree conspiracy to commit murder with intent and first-degree conspiracy to commit assault.

—Kevin Bradley Forer, 18, of Fergus Falls has been charged with second-degree conspiracy to commit murder with intent.

—Branagen Jordan Theisen, 22, of Fergus Falls has been charged with second-degree conspiracy to commit murder with intent.

—Brandtly Patrick Hutson, 19, of Fergus Falls has yet to appear in court.

—The three male teens ages 17, 17 and 16 were involved. The 17-year-olds may be tried as adults.

The investigation is continuing, and no other details are being released yet.