Former Turnstile Guitarist Charged With Attempted Murder After Alleged Targeted Vehicle Attack on Frontman Brendan Yates’ Father

A former guitarist for the Grammy-winning Baltimore hardcore band Turnstile has been charged with attempted murder following an incident that authorities describe as a deliberate and violent attack on a former bandmate’s father.

According to Montgomery County police, officers responding Sunday to reports of a pedestrian struck in Silver Spring, a suburb outside Washington, D.C., discovered 79-year-old William Yates—father of Turnstile frontman Brendan Yates—severely injured in the front yard of his home. Charging documents allege that Brady Ebert, a former guitarist for the band who had parted ways with the group several years earlier, was responsible for the incident.

Family members told investigators that Ebert, who lives nearby, drove up to the residence, honking and shouting obscenities as Erin Gerber, Yates’ daughter, and her husband were unloading their children from a vehicle. Moments later, authorities say, Ebert drove his car toward William Yates.

Surveillance footage obtained from a neighbor reportedly shows Ebert driving a gold Buick LeSabre and swerving toward Yates, initially missing him. In response, Yates threw a rock at the vehicle while Gerber rushed her 3-year-old son onto the lawn to avoid danger. Investigators say Ebert then sharply turned into the driveway, striking Yates as he attempted to flee, before driving across the lawn and leaving the scene.

Yates later told detectives that Ebert returned shortly afterward, yelling that he “deserved it” before departing again. He also stated that Ebert had a history with the family dating back to his time in the band, alleging that tensions had persisted and escalated following his removal from the group.

Ebert, 33, was arrested Tuesday and is facing charges including attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault. During a bond hearing Thursday, where he appeared via video, Ebert claimed Yates was a “maniac” who initiated the confrontation by throwing a rock, urging the court to review surveillance footage he said would contradict the prosecution’s account.

However, prosecutor Dominic Plantamura argued that the video evidence supports a “clearly targeted attack,” adding that Yates was fortunate to have survived. Authorities noted the severity of his injuries, with one bone reportedly protruding from his leg at the scene.

Ebert’s attorney, John Costello, acknowledged prior tensions between his client and the band but argued that the circumstances did not justify extended detention. The judge ultimately ordered Ebert to be held without bond.

In a statement, Turnstile confirmed that it had severed ties with Ebert in 2022, citing a “consistent pattern of harmful behavior” and escalating threats of violence. While the band said it had previously refrained from addressing his public outbursts out of respect for his privacy, it noted that the situation had intensified in recent months, culminating in what it described as a physical attack on Brendan Yates’ father.

“We are grateful that Mr. Yates survived, has successfully undergone surgery, and we’re hoping for the best possible outcome in his recovery,” the band said. “We have no language left for Brady.”

Once a cornerstone of the underground hardcore scene, Turnstile achieved mainstream recognition with their 2021 breakout album Glow On, later cementing their status with Grammy wins for Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance earlier this year.