SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — A former guitarist for the Grammy-winning hardcore band Turnstile, Brady Ebert, has been charged with attempted murder following a shocking incident in which he allegedly pursued and hit the father of a former bandmate, Brendan Yates, with his car. The attack left 79-year-old William Yates with serious injuries.
Montgomery County police responded to a call on a Sunday reporting that a pedestrian had been struck in Silver Spring, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Upon arrival, officers discovered William Yates injured in a front yard, as noted in the charging documents. Family members of Yates, including his daughter Erin Gerber, claimed that Ebert, who lived nearby and left the band several years prior, was responsible for the assault.
According to statements made to the police, Gerber explained that she and her husband were unloading their children from their vehicle when Ebert drove up aggressively, honking and shouting obscenities before hitting her father with his car. Footage from a neighbor showed Ebert initially missing William Yates by swerving his gold Buick LeSabre, prompting Yates to throw a rock at the vehicle. Gerber then took her 3-year-old son to safety on the lawn to avoid any potential danger. Ebert, however, pivoted sharply into William Yates' driveway and struck him as he attempted to flee.
After the incident, William Yates reported to a detective that Ebert returned to the scene and reportedly yelled at him that he "deserved it" before driving off again. Yates mentioned that Ebert, who previously played in a band with his son Brendan, had been creating trouble for their family after being ousted from the group. He indicated that Ebert's troubling behavior had been escalating over time.
Ebert, 33, was taken into custody on Tuesday and has been charged with attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault, according to court records. During his bond hearing held via video on Thursday, Ebert described William Yates as a "maniac" who initiated the conflict by throwing a rock at him. He pled with the judge to review the surveillance footage, claiming it would contradict the accusations against him.
However, prosecutor Dominic Plantamura countered this assertion, stating that the footage depicts a "clearly targeted attack" and underscored that Yates was fortunate not to have sustained even greater injuries. William Yates suffered severe wounds, including a protruding bone from one of his legs, revealing the extent of the violence.
Ebert's attorney, John Costello, acknowledged the frictious history between Ebert and his former bandmate but argued that such a history should not warrant additional detention. Ultimately, the judge ordered that Ebert be held without bond while the case proceeds.
In a statement, Turnstile confirmed that they had severed ties with Ebert in 2022 due to a "consistent pattern of harmful behavior." The band emphasized their commitment to setting boundaries as Ebert's threats of violence intensified. They acknowledged the physical attack on Brendan Yates' father as the culmination of escalating hostility, calling it incomprehensible. The band expressed relief that William Yates survived the ordeal, underwent successful surgery, and wished for the best in his recovery.
Turnstile, known for their underground roots, gained widespread acclaim with their 2021 album "Glow On," which propelled them into mainstream recognition. They further solidified their status by winning Grammy Awards this year for Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance, marking a significant moment in their career.
