WEST POINT, N.Y. -- A U.S. Military Academy cadet, member of the Class of 2021, is being reported as unaccounted for despite extensive search efforts by military, federal, state, and local agencies.
A M4 rifle is also missing. The cadet is not believed to have any magazines or ammunition.
There is no indication the cadet poses a threat to the public, but he may be a danger to himself.
The cadet was last seen on Friday, Oct. 18, at approximately 5:30 p.m. on the grounds of West Point. The Cadet was scheduled to participate in the academy's military skills competition this past weekend.
West Point is operating under normal conditions with an increased force protection status. The installation has increased military police patrols at sporting events and across the academy as a precautionary measure and to assist in safely locating the missing cadet.
The chain of command discovered the cadet missing when he failed to report for the initial road march for the military skills competition.
Cadets immediately started to search for their teammate.
After initial efforts were unsuccessful in locating the cadet, military police began a search of the installation at approximately 1 a.m. on the morning of Oct. 19 and continued throughout the day.
The New York State Police and Orange County Sheriff's Department were notified.
"I want to thank the local and state law enforcement agencies and emergency services for their tireless support," said Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams, 60th Superintendent U.S. Military Academy.
"We will continue to search with all means possible, on and off West Point. Safely locating the cadet remains our focus and number one priority."
Keller Army Community Hospital and local hospital emergency rooms were contacted to confirm the cadet has not received medical treatment.
West Point personnel searched through academic and athletic facilities and cadet barracks with negative results.
Military police continued searching and at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 20, the Coast Guard was notified and began searching the shoreline producing negative results.
New York State Police provided their helicopter to conduct an aerial sweep with the Forward-Looking Infrared Radar at 11:25 a.m.
NYSP provided K-9 and drone support.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the West Point Military Police at 845-938-3333.
The situation is still developing and West Point will release further information as it becomes available.
About West Point
The U. S. Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, co-educational, federal, liberal arts college located 50 miles north of New York City. It was founded in 1802 as America's first college of engineering and continues today as one of our nation's premier leader-development institutions, consistently ranked among top colleges in the country. Its mission remains constant--to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation as an officer in the U. S. Army. For more information, go to www.westpoint.edu.
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