#Army searching for missing Fort Hood soldier Elder Fernandes

The Army on Thursday asked the public’s help in locating Sgt. Elder Fernandes of the troubled Killeen, Texas, military base.

Fernandes, 23, hasn’t been seen or heard from since Monday afternoon, Aug. 17, when his Staff Sergeant dropped him off at his residence, according to the Killeen Police Department.

“We are seeking your help in locating Sgt. Elder Fernandes,” the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division tweeted Thursday. “Please contact the Fort Hood Military Police at 254-288-1170 or US Army CID at 254-287-2722, if you have any information on his whereabouts.”

His family reported him missing Wednesday, police said.

He was last seen wearing black Army shorts and a T-shirt with red athletic shoes, the department said.

Army officials are currently investigating Fort Hood for having the highest cases of soldier murders and assaults among its installments.

At least five soldiers have been found dead around the base this year, including Vanessa Guillen, 20, who was killed and mutilated by fellow soldier Aaron Robinson before he took his own life.

Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy visited the base earlier this month, where he pledged to investigate and address the “root causes” of the deaths and attacks.

“I’ve met over the last 24 hours with soldiers of every echelon…and told them that were are sending down an independent group of investigators to understand the root causes associated with the rise of felonies, violent acts, to better understand why this is happening in this installation,” McCarthy said at the time.