Former Turnstile guitarist Brady Ebert is now facing a potential life sentence after a Montgomery County grand jury indicted him on an upgraded charge of attempted first-degree murder. The charges stem from a March 29, 2026, incident in which the 33-year-old musician allegedly struck 79-year-old William Yates, the father of current Turnstile frontman Brendan Yates, with his car.
The indictment, handed down on Thursday, April 30, as reported by The Baltimore Banner, significantly increases the legal stakes for the Silver Spring resident. Originally, Brady Ebert faced charges of attempted second-degree murder, which carries a maximum 30-year sentence in Maryland. He is currently being held without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. In addition to the upgraded attempted murder charge, he faces one count of first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault.
According to a police report and surveillance footage detailed by the Montgomery County Police, the violent altercation took place on Timberlake Drive. Authorities allege that Brady Ebert drove down the residential street honking the horn of his 2001 Buick LeSabre before deliberately swerving toward William Yates. In response, the 79-year-old picked up a rock and threw it at the vehicle. He later told detectives this was an effort to warn his daughter, Erin Gerber, and her 3-year-old son of the immediate danger.
Police state that Erin Gerber pulled her son into the front yard to avoid the vehicle while pleading with the driver to stop. Investigators allege that Brady Ebert then backed up his car, shifted into drive, rapidly accelerated, and made a sharp left turn into the driveway, intentionally running over William Yates.
The collision resulted in severe trauma to the victim’s lower extremities. Assistant State’s Attorney Dominic Plantamura noted the injuries were extensive, revealing that a bone was protruding from the victim’s leg following the crash. William Yates subsequently required surgery to repair the broken limb.
Despite the police narrative and the surveillance footage cited in the report, the former guitarist has maintained his innocence. Appearing before a district court commissioner, he argued that the video evidence would eventually clear his name.
“I’m sorry, but this is pure self-defense. I was straight-up attacked,” Brady Ebert stated at the time.
His defense attorney, Andy Alpert, has not yet publicly commented on the upgraded grand jury indictment. A scheduling conference for the case is currently set for May 8.
Brady Ebert was a founding member of Turnstile and performed on their first three studio albums, including their critically acclaimed 2021 commercial breakthrough, Glow On. He was dismissed from the Baltimore hardcore punk group in 2022 during a bitter split that involved his former bandmates filing peace orders against him.
Earlier this year, Turnstile secured two Grammy Awards. Following the violent altercation in late March, the band issued a public statement condemning their former guitarist’s alleged actions against the Yates family.
