Shock Suicide: Oregon Teen Stabs Himself During Coffee House Open Mic Night
- Posted on April 16, 2011 at 7:50pm by
Scott Baker
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BEND, Ore. — Open mic night ended in a horrific tragedy as 19-year-old Kipp Rusty Walker took his own life Thursday night at a Bend coffee house.
While the terrifying scene shocked patrons, one of Walker’s friends, who did not want to be named, said Friday he saw it coming.
“I’ve been preparing for it for a while. I’m sad about it, but I think I’m in shock — it’s like a whirlwind of emotions,” Walker’s friend said.Walker was playing the keyboard for a crowd of nearly 15 people at Strictly Organic Coffee Company on Bond Street when his performance took a tragic turn.
Strictly Organic’s co-owner, Rhonda Ealy, said she was not at the coffee house’s open mic night but her staff re-counted what happened.
“It was really unclear at first what was even happening,” Ealy said. “You know it is an open mic and it’s a performance, people at first thought it was some sort of theater.”
Patrons said Walker, who would have turned 20 in a week, stood up, said nothing — then began stabbing himself in his chest, over and over.
(h/t Gawker)




















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Comments (287)
The Gooch
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:31pm“That‘ll show ’em.”
Report Post »While the boy’s method is attention grabbing, the message isn’t. He made his choice. Spare me the lectures… I work in mental health and have over a decade’s experience responding to allegedly suicidal people. If someone truly wants to kill himself, there ain’t nothing you and and I can do to stop them short of sitting on top of the person. It’s not demons,it’s choice. Tragedy would be thinking he needed to take a few of us with him. This is shockingly stupid… my sympathy to his family.
Detroit paperboy
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 11:42amYeah, well thats true, at least he didn’t take the fifteen other customers along with him…….and he got what he wanted……
Report Post »Diamond Girl
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:31pmMay have been a break up with a love of his life- or he smelled a cheeseburger and fries wafting thru the air from a steak place nearby.
What the heck else are we supposed to do about this, the man had mental probs big time.
Report Post »dfree
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:28pmbrntout
Report Post »i agree totally, its just too bad
brntout
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:25pmGot alot to do before then.Politicians asleep at the wheel But by then maybe alot of us can set it straight ,would be my …no … nooo not gonna use that overused word…will use excoriated,benign ,useless go home and count the days on your calender for father time has an appointmentment with your lame self
Report Post »DTOM_Jericho
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:27pm@infected
Report Post »We should band abortions. There is NO point to any abortion except to kill. You are such a tool.
ItsallaboutJesus
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:24pmHe sure needed help. Any threat of taking a life, even your own, should be taken very seriously. Not wanting to live any more, is depression, and it is serious. Very very sad! My heart goes out to the family and friends.
Report Post »Diamond Girl
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:23pmI won’t watch this…what a pathetic waste, this world is upside down, I’m just shaking my head now.
Have to wonder if his parents had him on drugs recommended by Union schools and govt. from the time he was a kid…they do their best to get all the youngsters on meds…complete control, until they get older, most school shootings had this involved with killers as well.
I‘d like to say it’s sad, it’s sad for those who loved him ~
Report Post »Liberty7
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:11pmI totally agree Diamond Girl and it was my first thought too when I read the story of this poor troubled soul.
Report Post »marine249
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 10:47pmI agree
Report Post »YouGottaProblemWithThat
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:20pmWe’ve all heard it said “suicide is a permanant answer to a temporary problem” it says a lot about how young people have lost hope in our society. We need to get back to a place where there is real hope, and not this psuedo hope that our dear president has been hawking. But there ar those who have a vested interest in our youth having feelings of depression and angst. Ask any Islamist, they make best suicide bombers.
Report Post »Infected
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:20pmWe should ban knives…. not all knives, just double sided knives…. There is NO point in a double sided knife, as you can only use one side at a time in a lawful way… A two sided knife can only be used to kill.
wwjcdo
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:18pmdemonic possesion is alive and well on planet earth!!!
Report Post »The Gooch
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:35pmNo. Poor choice and destructive behavior exists and shouldn’t be minimized with the “devil made me do it routine.” This is the same crap that asserts one’s economic woes, lack of self control or station in life excuses behavior such as thievery, child rape and general violent thuggery.
Report Post »brntout
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:16pmand this generation surprises you?Good god our offspring doesn’t have a chance!Come on 2012
Report Post »Creestof
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:15pm“He was not depressed…he just did not want to live any longer”…Wow…is this from an overwhelming fear of his future? Perhaps unable to face what -in his mind- would be a very bleak life of working 40-60 hours a week just to survive? Unable to save for the future because of high taxes?
These kids…you want to shake them and tell them there is another 30-50 years of love and adventure ahead of them…and not to throw those years away based on what they‘ve seen and felt the few cognitive years they’ve been around.
Such a waste.
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:15pmAt least he didn’t kill anyone else before he killed himself.
Report Post »TheGreatGooglyMoogly
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:50pmAbsolutely. It would be a tragedy if it would have been a murder/suicide.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:13pmi’m not even going to read or see it….i hate suicide
Report Post »rhulburd
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:13pmHe was going to read an “Al Gore” poem… Oregon? It was Global Warming…
Sorry, just sad, wold like to know the drugs he was on…
Report Post »Libby Tarian
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 1:13pmLots of Psyche drugs have warnings that they could cause some people to be suicidal
Report Post »soapman
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:12pmGotta love those ORGANIC liberal open mic coffee shops,,,,,what a bunch of asses
Report Post »DTOM_Jericho
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:11pmThankfully gun laws stopped him from taking his life.
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:05pmTwo liberal lesbians and a 20-foot anaconda. Brought to you by the same people who gave us “Piss Christ” and called it ‘art’.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:00pmThere are no words
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 7:58pmI guess the liberal poetry was really bad that night.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:05pmDude?
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:07pm@BetterDays
What?
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:18pmI guess I thought you might put yourself in this young mans families place is all. I read all your posts, and I usually like them. You have shown that you have a big heart of caring in your posts, I just thought this was not like you is all.
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:39pm@BetterDays
I already looked down the barrel of my own gun, waiting to finish that last beer before I pressed the trigger with my thumb.
Never, in my life, was I ever so stupid. I’ll never do anything like that again.
I grieve for the family, that is sure and certain. But I have no sympathy for the kid who killed himself. At least he didn’t kill a lot of others before he did himself in.
Having been there, right where he was…At that last second when choice and decision become more clear in the eye and the mind far greater than second sight or sixth sense…
I can’t feel sympathy for him. I will, and do, feel sympathy for someone who was about to suicide and didn’t.
I care for the living, not the dead.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:13pmThanks for sharing that, sorry I questioned you, it was not my place to do so and I feel crappy about it now. guess I should think some before I pound out words, sorry.
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:31pm@BetterDays
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:13pm
Thanks for sharing that, sorry I questioned you, it was not my place to do so and I feel crappy about it now. guess I should think some before I pound out words, sorry.
_____________________
You didn’t do a thing wrong. Thanks for the apology but, really, you need not apologize. Don’t feel bad, please! All is well, I promise.
Actually, your first post was an honor to me. Thank you!
The events of my life are precisely why liberals can’t tell me a dingblasted thing. I used be liberal, actually.
Funny–and to make you laugh a moment–I find that more horrific than looking down the barrel of my own gun.
It’s all good, so please don’t feel bad for what you wrote to me. I read you, too, and have you in my Cool Book.
Report Post »brntout
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:32pm@ At you two.Should’nt you two not throw barbs and at least know from which side you speak?Might not be an embarrasment or apology needed
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:39pm@brntout
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:32pm
@ At you two.Should’nt you two not throw barbs and at least know from which side you speak?Might not be an embarrasment or apology needed
____________________
Wow! You’re more late than the period of woman eight months pregnant.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 10:27pm@upstateny
Thanks for accepting my appologies.
Lol, you did get a laugh out if me on that…you…liberal?
Guess what they say is correct, there is no man as serious as one converted.
You keep lists too. : )
And what the he// did that other guys post say? I can’t understand one word, libberish perhaps?
Report Post »maraboo9
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 10:55pmthe only time i’ve enjoyed it is when i was really stoned
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 11:01pm@BetterDays
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 10:27pm
~hanging my head in shame, my voice quiet~
Yes, I used be liberal. I was totally for abortion, though that view cost me the girl I loved. I stupidly still held onto it, right until my wife said she was pregnant. That changed everything. That change in me is my son, who is now 30 with a perfect wife and an even more perfect daughter who is three years old.
I have a daughter, too. Who has a perfect girl who’s 12. My baby (my daughter) is expecting another baby in September.
God is generous, to be sure.
I never looked back, I never regret leaving behind my former liberalism. What I found, in my life, are moments of absolute clarity when God says in His own way, “Here it is. Make your decision.”
That’s why no liberal can tell me a single dingblasted thing. I’ve already been there, in all those horrid places, long before those who might lecture me have ever experienced.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 11:27pm@upstate
Report Post »Glad your on our team upstate, and glad to call you friend.
Pick your head up, no man is perfect, most certainally me, when the Apostile Paul wrote “he was the chiefest of sinners”, he only beat me by an eyelash!
I grew up in NW PA., off the Lake, downwind of Cleveland, phew! And I HATE SNOW ( the stuff that falls from the sky, not you snowleapord.)
UpstateNYConservative
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 11:45pm@BetterDays
I lived a long time in east PA, a mile from the Delaware River. The county had more bears than people. I kid you not about that!
I’d add they were black bears, but some lib troll would call that ‘racist’. So, I won’t mention the bears were…ummm…black.
Good thing they didn’t unionize, I guess.
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 7:57pmI am surprised that after the first stab the people watching didn’t try to stop it.Sad really all the way around.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:20pmbikerr;
It is not an everyday event. The ARTICLE said that people thought it was some sort of theater. Just what do you expect – and what would you have done – I guess you would have known what was happening.
Report Post »conservativemom99
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 10:14pmYou would NEVER think that he was actually stabbing himself…who would do that? Who could even think that it could happen at an open mic night when they’re out for fun? Totally freaky.
Report Post »tarbush
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 10:59pmThey were probably confused and/or shocked. Too shocked to be able to do anything.
How selfish of him to do this to that audience. Why drag someone else into such an ugly act?
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 9:05am@–Dale If you read the article you would see one of Walker’s friends, who did not want to be named, said Friday he saw it coming.Also I really wouldn’t have been at an “open”mic coffee shop type display of that kind,would you?
Report Post »C. Schwehr
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 7:57pmIf I claimed to be that kid’s “friend” and knew what was coming, and did NOTHING (except “prepare myself” for the eventual act), I’d not want to be named either…..some friend!
lovethelord
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 10:05pmThat’s what I was thinking.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 10:24pmOne thing you must remember is that when someone had decided on this course of action, they have given up all hope. To them, there is NO point in living. And sometimes, when friends try to “encourage” the person not do this, it just makes them more determined to carry through.
And there are organizations and groups out there that actually support the people who wish to suicide. Personally, I think that is a tremendously negative indication of how low we have sunk morally, but I am told by others that it is their “right” to do this. However, having seen the devastation it leaves behind, I have serious questions about that “right”.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 7:56pmTo his friends and his family, you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
When a high school friend of mine committed suicide two years ago, it took MONTHS for me stop being furious with her – and I wasn’t there when it happened. I can not even begin to imagine what it will be like for them. My deepest sympathy.
Report Post »FUSOCIALISTS
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:04pmHis friends and family are also in our thoughts and prayers. It is so hard imagining what grief and sufferings they are currently experiencing… and what they will go through for a very long time; it just breaks my heart.
And to everyone there that night, you too are in our thoughts and prayers. What a horrible horrible thing to witness; to sit there not realizing what it was he was doing… and unable to prevent his demise once realized.
And as a reader, I’m personally having a hard time wrapping my head around this. This is just aweful. Just aweful.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 10:19pmThey had a “coffee house” at my daughter’s school, which happened to be a school of the arts. As parents, we went, but dreaded to go. Kids wore black and wrote poetry that was so depressing we half expected them to commit suicide. Luckily, this tragedy never happened during that time. My prayers go out for the family and friends of this young man and I hope it is a wake up call to others that suicide is not the solution.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 7:55pmOh dear Lord, please give the peace that passes all understanding to his family and friends.Send Your comforter unto these Lord, and hear their cry’s, heal their hurting hearts, and heal their emotional wounds. May Lord this young mans lifes struggles serve a purpose to help others to reach out for help and you oh Lord before they do likewise. In Jesus’s holy name Father I ask you. Amen.
Report Post »DTOM_Jericho
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:15pm“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
BetterDays
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:25pmPerhaps my prayer was better than the first comment, and since you don’t know who I am, or what I look like, or anything at all about me I’m sure the anonymity prayer clause is intact.
Report Post »Additionally I’m not seeking to enlarge my hem, or to take a chief seat. My heartfelt prayer is what it is, a sincere prayer.
Don‘t be saducee it’s not Pharisee.
DTOM_Jericho
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:33pmSo you think your pricked pride excuses you from following instruction on how to pray? Right I forgot the xian mantra, “if it feels good, it’s true”. Btw “jesus” is not His holy name. If you are going to evangelize and self-glorify at least be correct. Humble enough to take correction might help too.
BetterDays
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:03pm(foolish dreams) is that you lucifer?
Report Post »anutter
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:04pm@dtom_Jericho
Dude, chill out. Wouldn’t want your walls to crumble on us.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:25pmSo is arguing anonymously online with strangers about theology the closest to actual, consensual human contact you losers can come on a Saturday evening?
Report Post »brntout
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:40pm@ BROKEROO Good point although alot of semantics deal with how this country was founded.PAY atttention for this is how we are about to take back what is rightfully ours and will never look back except to remind our children how screwed up the 2010 election was,and how galvanizing the backlash was.
Report Post »sonseeker
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:49pmYou are not seen by others but your prayer is and thank you to all who pray in this forum…for me who has lost my way, they are helping me to find my way back:-)
Report Post »lovethelord
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 10:04pmI like it…thanks.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 10:21pm@Broker101
Report Post »Wondered when you would get back from your latest drum circle. I would say I missed you, but I’m not in the habit of lying, nor in hiding my faith. If my posts which invariably have references to GOD, prayer, my relationship with GOD, Jesua, or theology offend you, perhaps it is because you are offend by GOD and not me. I post in reference to each topic, normally with much thought towards being poignant and factual.That being said, I view every aspect of life through the filter of GODs word and love and that view is reflected in my post.
To seek to censure I feel, note the word “feel” indicating my personal feeling and not an attack, is to exhibit a classical example of the spirit of lucifer, the accuser of mankind.
If at all Possiable be at peace with all mankind. Be quick to forgive, and remember forgiveness is first an action and then a request.
I know that this is probably not the intent in most cases, but I would be remiss If I held my piece.
NeoFan
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 12:11pm@ Betterdays I have to agree with DTOM_Jericho. Anonymous or not all I see is pride.
Which chapter and verse was it when Jesus Christ stood up and prayed for everyone to see?
Was it in the garden of gethsemane where he said “hey all gather round I am going to pray to the father again”?
So sad that for some religion is not for their personal use but is used as a tool to place themselves above others.
Report Post »TGooberPea
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 6:27pmBetterdays: Thank you. That was a very heartfelt prayer. And it was what I read immediately after I requested a prayer for my son. Your post was a miracle to me.
DTOM: Jesus did not go into a closet to pray. He taught us to pray for each other and WITH each other. He taught us HOW to pray. He hung around the local taverns and prayed with men. He hung around prostitutes and prayed with them. You just need to come out of your closet.
Report Post »conservative kid
Posted on April 18, 2011 at 4:44pm@DTOM_JERICHO
Come on, brother. That’s plain ridiculous. I don‘t think Betterdays was callin’ to be glorified and praised because he knew how to pray. Why, I do believe that was a heartfelt prayer! And a mighty fine one, too. Why, from the way you talk, I should think prayin’ at church, and with the poor, and the hurtin’ and with friends & family is a real bad thing. I’d quote the Holy Book Itself (’cause you‘ve brought to mind a word about judgin’ others), but I don‘t believe in hurlin’ Bible verses at each other like that, like some sport, ’cause it wouldn’t do no good with you.
Now brother, don‘t be thinkin’ yourself so high and mighty! When we call each other out it should be done out of love, with love. Where’s the love in your post, my friend?
Don‘t confuse this for preachin’ brother. This is just kindly intended advice. Do with it what you will.
God bless you, brother!
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 7:54pmIt’s sad….and unreal. What a waste!
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:37pmThat’s really sad .
Report Post »MEESHEL
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 9:07amFeels surreal… and you’re right… what a waste.
Report Post »Noumenon
Posted on April 18, 2011 at 12:03pmVery sad. Not possible to know what he was thinking. If he was not mentally I’ll,.. he was astonishingly selfish. If he didn’t find value in his own life, why waste it, when you could at least endu“endure” it and sacrifice it for others.
Report Post »Dick Blitskreig
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 7:54pmNow that’s bit dedication.
Report Post »C. Schwehr
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 7:57pmAnd you’re sick!
Report Post »Noumenon
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 8:34pmWilling to be an disinterested sick idiot for your comedy,… now that’s dedication, and the tail wagging the a$$.
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:10pmIt’s a free country, still.
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on April 16, 2011 at 9:30pm@ crestoff, Yea their seems to be a demonic presence for this post only. HMM
Report Post »LastCallForEmpathy
Posted on April 17, 2011 at 12:59pm`says with a heavy heart`
Imagine being a teenager tryin to figure this world out…
On one side people pushing liberal music and movies and art and anything else liberal in the name of living life to the fullest…Here listen to this great song youtube turned me on to…Lyrics dont quite make sense, but here smoke this, then they will…Dont worry drugs are fun, sex is liberating…Are you gonna let those bible thumpers stop you from enjoying life? Im only responsible for my actions… The effect lady gag gag and lil’ dipsticks song has on ten year olds is not my problem…We are all one conscience global community…No contradiction there…Dont be a homophobe…Dont hate on transgenders who want to marry transgenders…Intolerance is something i just cant tolerate…We also need to start modernizing the constitution…Its a living breathing document dont you know…Oh and bye the way we must stop the corporate state of america from destroying our planet…Eat the rich…
The other side says: Salute the flag, and support the war when the media tells you to, no matter what…If you work hard, study hard and get good grades, obey all the laws, go to church, stand up straight, and just be an all around good citizen, well you could be an astronaut or even the president…Skies the limit…Private property means its all mine…If i have the best location for my house on the most beautiful spot on the lake, well, i can pass it on down the family line so that no one else gets to enjoy it cause we invented a widget that made the world a better more prosperous place…The planets resources do not belong to the birds, bees or any other creature here…GOD said so…They belong to me because im so smart i figured out how to make life easier for these ingrates sucking off of lady liberty’s tit…Whats a little oil spill here and there…You want 8 dollar a gallon gas? Dont worry we will trickle the wealth on down…
All the while, both sides using all types of proganda for mental minipulation to serve their ideaology
This kid should not be treated like a parasite…Try some compassion for your fellow man…Call me what ever you want…Whatever…We are in a downward spiral, and the LORD is the only one who can sort all of this out…Sorry for the long rant..Its all getting a bit too much for this individuals limited understanding…That is all…
Report Post »UP, CHUCK!
Posted on April 18, 2011 at 9:22amObviously this kid had some serious issues beyond what lexapro can fix. It’s a horrible shame, but be thankful he didn’t climb a clock tower with an Uzi. I wonder what drove him…
Report Post »mill
Posted on April 18, 2011 at 2:59pmObviously an ill person.
Report Post »mill
Posted on April 18, 2011 at 3:03pmSurely someone knew he was ill.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on April 18, 2011 at 5:00pmDarwin was right.
Report Post »okalabama
Posted on April 20, 2011 at 12:06amWell he wasn’t lying….. The kid was committed.
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