An armed, 19-year-old felon posing as a police officer caused quite the scare at Western Oregon University Thursday afternoon.

Polk County Sheriff's Office

Police arrested 19-year-old Nicholas Walker for posing as a cop at Western Oregon University.

Sergeant Kim Dorn with the Monmouth Police Department said police started receiving reports of a man with a gun on campus just before 3:00 p.m.

Students reported seeing a white male in his mid to late 20’s wearing a sweatshirt with the word “Sheriff” on the back. Students said the man had a holstered gun on his hip and was showing people a badge.

The man was first spotted at the school library.

Police immediately responded to the school. The campus was not locked down but school security did send out e-mail alerts notifying student of the situation.

Officers eventually located 19-year-old Nicholas Tristian Walker around 7:30 p.m.

Sergeant Dorn said Walker is a Monmouth resident but not a Western Oregon student.
He was arrested on charges of felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in a public building, and impersonation of a police officer. All three are felonies.

As far as a motive, Dorn said investigators were still questioning the teen Thursday evening.