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Fight over burger leads to shooting death in FL

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A central Florida man was arrested Thursday night after allegedly shooting and killing his brother during an argument.

According to WESH in Orlando, 28-year-old Nicholas Middendorf and his brother, 25-year-old Benjamin Middendorf, returned home after a night of drinking on Cinco de Mayo. After the two began arguing, Benjamin Middendorf went into another room, retrieved a 9 mm handgun and shot his brother once in the chest.

Nicholas Middendorf was pronounced dead at the scene.

"This is an impulsive incident that happened. Maybe anger, rage. But it was definitely over a verbal dispute that sadly, it was over a cheeseburger," St. Cloud Police Department spokesperson Denise Roberts told News 13 in Orlando.

Middendorf’s mother placed a 911 call, telling the dispatcher “my son just shot my son.” She’s also overheard telling Benjamin Middendorf “I hope you go to jail.”

Benjamin Middendorf has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder, and is being held without bond in Osceola County Jail.

Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.

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