Former Turnstile Guitarist Faces Attempted Murder Charges in Shocking Attack
Brady Ebert, a former guitarist of the Grammy-winning US hardcore band Turnstile, has been formally charged with attempted second-degree murder following a disturbing incident where he allegedly struck the father of the band's frontman, Brendan Yates, with his car. The charges stem from an event that occurred on March 29, as reported by the Baltimore Banner, where police discovered William Yates outside his home suffering from severe trauma to his lower extremities, including a broken bone protruding from his leg.
Details of the Alleged Assault
According to family members and police reports, the altercation began when Ebert drove up to the Yates residence, honked his horn, and shouted obscenities before leaving and then returning. In a chaotic turn of events, William Yates reportedly threw a rock at Ebert's vehicle, prompting Ebert to allegedly drive into him as he attempted to flee. Shockingly, Ebert is said to have returned once more to tell Yates that he "deserved it," adding a chilling layer to the attack.
Ebert, aged 33, was arrested and taken into custody on March 31. In addition to the attempted murder charge, he faces one count of first-degree assault, as per Montgomery County arrest records, and is currently being held without bond. During court proceedings, Ebert protested his innocence, claiming that surveillance footage would contradict the accusers' statements. However, Montgomery County district court judge Sherri D Koch described the alleged attack as both violent and targeted, underscoring the severity of the accusations.
Band's Response and Background
In a statement to Pitchfork, Turnstile revealed that William Yates is recovering from surgery to address "severe physical trauma" to his legs, expressing relief at his survival. The band also detailed their history with Ebert, noting that he was a founding member and childhood friend of Brendan Yates when Turnstile formed in 2010, but he left the group in 2022.
The band explained that they had severed ties with Ebert due to "a consistent pattern of harmful behaviour affecting himself, the band, and the community." They added that after exhausting all resources to support his recovery, they had to set boundaries when healthy communication became impossible and he began threatening violence. Since his departure, Ebert has engaged in public tirades, including forming a band called the Self-Evident Truth, from which he was later ejected after making allegations about Turnstile's finances and claiming restraining orders were taken out against him. In August 2022, a Maryland district court denied a peace order request against Ebert by a former bandmate, citing no statutory basis for relief.
Turnstile's statement concluded by expressing their exhaustion, stating, "We have no language left for Brady," and requesting privacy for all involved.
Turnstile's Success and Recent Developments
Based in Baltimore, Turnstile has emerged as one of the most successful hardcore bands of their generation, boasting two Grammy awards and eight nominations. Their fourth album, 2025's Never Enough, reached No. 9 in the US and No. 11 in the UK, marking their first full-length record without Ebert. The album featured Meg Mills on guitar and included guest appearances from notable artists such as Hayley Williams of Paramore, Dev Hynes (AKA Blood Orange), Shabaka Hutchings, Faye Webster, and producer AG Cook.
This incident casts a dark shadow over the band's achievements, highlighting the personal and legal turmoil that can intersect with musical success. As the case unfolds, the music community watches closely, hoping for justice and healing for the Yates family.
