Ore. teen Kipp Walker stabs self to death at open mic night

(CBS) - Open mic night at the Strictly Organic coffeehouse in Bend, Ore. ended tragically Thursday, when teenage performer Kipp Walker took his own life onstage, according to reports.

The 19-year-old went onstage to perform a song on the keyboard, according to local station KTVZ. After he stopped playing, he took out a six-inch knife and proceeded to stab himself multiple times.

Rhonda Ealy, the coffee shop's co-owner, says that audience of about 15 didn't immediately understand what they were seeing, reports local station KPLC.

"It was really unclear at first what was even happening," Ealy told the station. "You know it is an open mic and it's a performance, people at first thought it was some sort of theater."

Walker was taken to nearby St. Charles Medical Center where he died from his injuries.

One of Walker's friends, who wished to remain anonymous, told KPLC that he wasn't surprised by the incident. According to the friend, Walker had been contemplating suicide for some time.

Walker first threatened to kill himself on March 20 and was taken to the psychiatric unit at St. Charles Medical Center-Bend for several days, according to Walker's friend, reports KPLC.

Rhonda Ealy, in collaboration with the fire department, is setting up classes to help those involved deal with the stress of the incident.

The toll-free number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (273-8255).