Rippinger was attending the "Lien Fiesta" where over 500 lien cases were set on the first floor in the Carmel Auditorium.  Gary Habekost, a Hearing Representative, attended the event and stated the morning session ended at Noon uneventfully.

According to Habekost, sometime between two and two-thirty PM, the only CHP Officer present who had been standing next to the Carmel Auditorium door, where he had been enjoying conversations with some attractive female lien reps, bolted out of the room and upstairs. 

Rumors began to circulate that there had been a stabbing "in the copy room" on the 9th floor.  Soon Rippinger's name was mentioned and it was announced only that there had been an "incident" and the copy room was closed.  This virtually shut down the "Fiesta".

A WCAB employee told Gary Habekost that Rippinger had been taken to County-USC Hospital and that he was in bad shape.  He had sustained a stab wound to his upper torso and neck region.

The name and identity of the assailant is not known at this time.  The initial rumor was that it was another attorney/lien provider who had attacked him.  Then the rumor evolved into an attack by a pro per claimant.