Soldier's death being investigated

KILLEEN, Texas -- A 22-year-old Fort Hood soldier was found dead in a park Thursday and police said they were investigating the case as a homicide.

An autopsy was planned. Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke would not comment on how the soldier was killed or give any details.

The name of the soldier was withheld, pending notification of family.

Police spokeswoman Carroll Smith said murder cases involving soldiers are rare, but not unheard of.

"We live next door to the largest military base in the free world," she said. "It's not shocking to find a soldier deceased, but it's not a normal thing for us."

The soldier was found on the same day thousands of troops in the Army's 4th Infantry Division began shipping out to the Persian Gulf from Fort Hood.