Ex-Turnstile Guitarist Brady Ebert Charged with Attempted Murder After Allegedly Driving Into Brendan Yates' Father

Brady Ebert, the co-founder and former guitarist of the Grammy-winning hardcore band Turnstile, has been charged with second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault in Montgomery County, Maryland, following an alleged driveway attack that left Brendan Yates’ 78-year-old father, William Yates, with severe injuries. The incident, which unfolded on a quiet residential street in Silver Spring, Maryland, has sent shockwaves through the music community and raised urgent questions about mental health, band culture, and the consequences of unchecked violent behavior.

How a Rising Hardcore Band’s Breakup Led to Alleged Violence and Criminal Charges

The alleged attack on William Yates marks a dramatic escalation in a years-long pattern of conflict involving Brady Ebert, 33, who co-founded Turnstile in 2010. The band, known for blending hardcore punk with metallic and shoegaze influences, rose to mainstream prominence with albums like *Time & Space* (2018) and *Glow On* (2021), earning Grammy nominations and two wins for their post-Ebert release *Never Enough* in 2024. Despite the band’s success, their relationship with Ebert deteriorated over time, culminating in his abrupt departure in August 2022 after allegations of harmful behavior, including threats of violence and erratic conduct.

From Bandmate to Alleged Attacker: The Final Breakdown

Turnstile’s public statement, released in the wake of the charges, painted Ebert’s exit as the result of a ‘consistent pattern of harmful behavior’ that affected not only the band but the broader community. ‘After exhausting every available resource to support his access to help and recovery, a boundary ultimately had to be set when healthy communication was no longer possible and he began threatening violence,’ the band wrote. ‘In the years since, his baseless tirades have continued in public. We never addressed it. We chose to protect his privacy… even when he did nothing to be deserving of that protection. Over the past few months, his threats only escalated further.’

That escalation appears to have reached a violent climax on Sunday, April 30, 2023, when, according to police and eyewitness accounts, Ebert deliberately used his 2001 Buick to strike William Yates in the driveway of the Yates family home. Surveillance footage and police reports indicate that the confrontation followed an argument between Ebert and his 78-year-old neighbor—identified in court documents as William Yates—who had reportedly heard Ebert honking his horn and cursing outside.

The 4:41 PM Attack: What Witnesses Say Happened

Around 4:41 p.m. on that Sunday afternoon, emergency responders were dispatched to the 900 block of a residential street in Silver Spring after receiving reports of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, firefighters and police discovered William Yates with multiple injuries, including a broken leg and severe trauma. According to the Montgomery County Police Department’s press release, Ebert then fled the scene in his damaged Buick without rendering aid or contacting emergency services.

Eyewitness Account: A Family in the Crossfire

In an interview with Fox5 in Washington, D.C., William Yates described the terrifying moments leading up to the attack. He stated that he heard Ebert’s car repeatedly honking and yelling outside his home. Concerned for the safety of his daughter, her husband, and their toddler grandchild who were also present, Yates went outside to confront Ebert. When Ebert allegedly accelerated toward the family, Yates threw a rock in an attempt to stop him. Instead, Ebert swerved his vehicle toward both Yates and his daughter’s family, resulting in injuries to Yates’ legs. The Buick’s front-end damage and unoccupied status when later located by police suggest a deliberate, high-speed maneuver.

The Aftermath: Hospitalization, Arrest, and Legal Proceedings

William Yates was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for his injuries. As of the latest reports, he is recovering but remains in critical condition. Meanwhile, Montgomery County Police detectives, aided by surveillance footage and forensic evidence, obtained an arrest warrant for Brady Ebert. He was taken into custody at 1:03 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit. He is currently being held without bond, pending a bail and bond review hearing scheduled for the afternoon of May 4. A preliminary hearing is set for May 1.

Ebert made his first court appearance on Wednesday, May 3, where he initially waived his right to an attorney. Later that same day, he retained counsel from Alpert Schreyer Trial Attorneys, who have since filed a motion requesting a speedy trial. The law firm declined to comment when contacted by Rolling Stone. The case has been assigned to the Montgomery County District Court.

A Pattern of Conflict: Restraining Orders, Band Departures, and Public Outbursts

The attack on William Yates is not an isolated incident in Ebert’s recent history. Court records reviewed by the Maryland Judiciary Case Search reveal that four individuals—including Turnstile drummer Daniel Fang—filed for peace orders (restraining orders) against Ebert in the weeks leading up to his departure from the band. All four petitions were denied due to ‘no statutory basis for relief,’ as determined at a hearing the day before Turnstile’s public announcement of Ebert’s exit. Ebert publicly disputed the denials, claiming in social media posts that text messages presented to the judge supported his position.

Exile from Turnstile and Short-Lived Stints in New Bands

After leaving Turnstile in August 2022, Ebert briefly joined the band S.E.T., which released its debut album, *Self Evident Truth*, in March 2023. However, according to a report by Lambgoat, he was fired from S.E.T. in February 2023 after making disparaging remarks about Turnstile. By March, Ebert had announced the formation of a new project called Experience. The rapid succession of band affiliations and departures underscores the instability surrounding his post-Turnstile career.

Turnstile’s Rise to Fame and the Shadow of Ebert’s Legacy

Turnstile formed in the Baltimore suburbs in 2010 and quickly gained a cult following in the hardcore and punk scenes. Their debut EP, *Pressure to Succeed*, dropped in 2011, followed by a string of acclaimed releases, including the independently distributed *Nonstop Feeling* (2015) and major-label albums *Time & Space* (2018) and *Glow On* (2021). The latter earned two Grammy nominations for ‘Blackout’ and ‘Holiday.’ Following Ebert’s exit, the band released *Never Enough* in 2024, which went on to win two Grammy Awards, further cementing their status as one of the most influential acts in modern hardcore music.

What’s Next for Brady Ebert and the Music Community

As the legal process unfolds, the music industry is left grappling with the implications of Ebert’s alleged actions. Turnstile’s statement reflects a rare public acknowledgment of the complexities surrounding band dynamics, mental health, and accountability. ‘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 wrote. ‘We have no language left for Brady.’

Key Takeaways

• Brady Ebert, co-founder of the Grammy-winning band Turnstile, has been charged with second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault after allegedly driving his car into Brendan Yates’ 78-year-old father, William Yates, in a driveway confrontation in Silver Spring, Maryland.
• William Yates survived the attack and underwent emergency surgery, but remains in critical condition as of the latest reports.
• Turnstile severed ties with Ebert in 2022 following a reported pattern of harmful behavior, including public tirades and threats of violence. Four peace orders were filed against him before his departure, all denied by the court.
• Ebert was arrested on May 2, 2023, and is currently held without bond pending trial. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 1.
• Following his exit from Turnstile, Ebert briefly joined S.E.T. before being removed and later announced a new band, Experience, highlighting ongoing instability in his post-bank career.

The Broader Conversation: Mental Health and Accountability in Music Communities

The incident raises difficult questions about how bands and communities handle members exhibiting harmful behavior. Turnstile’s statement reflects a painstaking process of attempting to support an individual while ultimately needing to set boundaries for the safety of others. This balance—between compassion and accountability—remains a persistent challenge in creative industries where personal relationships are often deeply intertwined with professional ones.

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