A former guitarist of Grammy-winning band charged with attempted murder is currently being held without bond following a violent confrontation in a Maryland suburb. Brady Ebert, 33, was arrested Tuesday after authorities say he used his vehicle to target and strike the father of his former bandmate, leaving the elderly man with severe injuries.
The victim, 79-year-old William Yates, is the father of Brendan Yates, the lead singer of the influential Baltimore hardcore outfit Turnstile. According to charging documents, the incident occurred on a Sunday in Silver Spring, a suburb of Washington, D.C., where Montgomery County police found Mr. Yates injured in a front yard.
The attack appears to be the culmination of a long-standing and volatile feud. While Turnstile has risen from the underground hardcore scene to global prominence—winning Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance—the internal history between the band and Ebert has been marked by accusations of threats and harmful behavior.
The Silver Spring Incident
According to investigators, the confrontation began when Erin Gerber, the daughter of William Yates, was unloading children from a vehicle. Gerber told authorities that Ebert drove up in a gold Buick LeSabre, honking his horn and shouting obscenities before driving toward her father.
Surveillance footage obtained from a neighbor provides a window into the escalation. The documents state that Ebert is seen swerving toward Mr. Yates, though he initially missed. In response, Mr. Yates allegedly threw a rock at the vehicle. As Gerber worked to move her 3-year-old son to the safety of the lawn, investigators say Ebert turned sharply into the driveway, striking Mr. Yates as he attempted to flee.
The violence did not complete with the impact. Charging documents indicate that after driving across the lawn and leaving the scene, Ebert returned to the injured man. As Mr. Yates lay on the ground, Ebert allegedly yelled that he “deserved it” before driving away a second time.
The physical toll of the attack was significant. Prosecutor Dominic Plantamura noted during court proceedings that the injuries were severe enough that a bone was protruding from one of Mr. Yates’ legs.
Legal Proceedings and Conflicting Narratives
During a bond hearing on Thursday, conducted via video, Ebert contested the narrative presented by the prosecution. He characterized William Yates as a “maniac” and pointed to the surveillance footage as evidence that would contradict the authorities’ version of events, specifically citing the rock thrown at his car.
However, the prosecution maintained that the evidence points to a premeditated act. Plantamura described the event as a “clearly targeted attack,” emphasizing that the victim was fortunate to have survived the encounter.
Ebert’s legal counsel, John Costello, acknowledged that there has been a “contentious history” between Ebert and his former bandmate. However, Costello argued that this history did not justify the current level of detention. Despite this argument, the judge ordered Ebert to be held without bond.
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | Sunday (Local Time) |
| Arrest Date | Tuesday |
| Charges | Attempted second-degree murder; first-degree assault |
| Bond Hearing | Thursday |
| Current Status | Held without bond |
A Fractured Relationship with Turnstile
The fallout between Brady Ebert and Turnstile began years before this physical attack. In a public statement, the band revealed they officially cut ties with Ebert in 2022. The group cited a “consistent pattern of harmful behaviour” and stated that a boundary was necessary after Ebert began threatening violence.
Turnstile noted that while Ebert continued to engage in “baseless tirades” in public, the band chose not to address them openly in an effort to protect his privacy. However, they stated that threats had escalated in recent months leading up to the attack on Brendan Yates’ father.
The band expressed their relief that Mr. Yates survived and has undergone surgery, adding a final, stark note regarding their former collaborator: “We have no language left for Brady.”
The tragedy marks a dark turn for a band that has become a symbol of inclusivity and energy in the modern rock landscape. Their 2021 album, Glow On, acted as a catalyst, moving them from the fringes of the hardcore scene into the mainstream consciousness of music critics and award bodies alike.
As the legal process moves forward in Montgomery County, the focus remains on the recovery of William Yates and the upcoming court dates for Ebert.
Disclaimer: This article covers legal proceedings. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The next confirmed step in the legal process will be the subsequent court filings and hearings to determine the trial schedule for the attempted murder and assault charges. We will provide updates as official court records become available.
What are your thoughts on the band’s decision to remain silent about the threats until now? Let us know in the comments or share this story on social media.
