In the early morning hours of August 14, 2023 Cortland Whitaker, age 28, lay helpless on the pavement in front of On The Rox, a local bar on the West End of downtown Greenville, SC. At this point Kellen Lamb, bouncer/security for Corso Protection Services, wearing law enforcement style tactical boots, took a running start and delivered the most malicious soccer kick to the head of the helpless Whitaker.

Cortland was instantly changed, as all in his circle can attest. As he described, he didn't feel like himself. He felt depressed and he didn't know why, given that his life was the kind of life we all work so hard to attain. He had it all. His doctor explained upon examination that Cortland had indeed suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI due to the absolutely brutal blow delivered to his head by Lamb and that it could take 3-6 months to recover, maybe longer. In the meantime, Cortland sought treatment from a Psychiatrist in an attempt to mitigate his recovery. His battle to recover from the re-wiring of his brain at the foot of Kellen Lamb was lost on the morning of October 1, 2023, as he took his life. Studies have shown Traumatic Brain Injury to be a leading factor in suicidal depression. This was so unfair to a young man with so much to live for.

At present Kellen Lamb has been charged with only 3rd Degree Assault and Battery, a misdemeanor punishable by no more than 30 days in jail and up to a $500 fine. Due to the degree of bodily harm, intent and potential of great bodily injury alone, Kellen Lamb should be and should've been charged appropriately with no less than Assault & Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature and given the now actual far-reaching impact of his vicious and cowardly action, possibly more.

Understand that anyone of us could be as Cortland that fateful August morning. You, your son, daughter, wife, husband or friend could encounter Kellen Lamb or someone like him and could have your life irreparably altered. If the City of Greenville does not bring proper charges against Kellen Lamb, he will go unpunished and will be free to do this to someone else, possibly you. It's time for the community to let the Greenville City Attorney know that we want this case handled appropriately.