A chilling scene unfolded in a quiet Washington, D.C. suburb, leaving a 79-year-old man critically injured and a former bandmate facing attempted murder charges. The victim, William Yates, father of Turnstile’s lead singer, was allegedly deliberately struck by a car in his own driveway.
The alleged assailant is Brady Ebert, a former guitarist for the Grammy-winning band who was removed from the group in 2022. Investigators say an argument preceded the horrifying act, culminating in Ebert allegedly using his vehicle as a weapon and then fleeing the scene.
Witnesses paint a terrifying picture. Yates’ daughter, Erin Gerber, described Ebert arriving and immediately unleashing a barrage of obscenities while honking aggressively. The situation escalated rapidly, with Ebert allegedly accelerating towards the family, forcing Gerber to shield her three-year-old son.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Ebert swerving at Yates, narrowly missing him before Yates bravely threw a rock at the vehicle. The footage then captures the devastating moment Ebert turned into the driveway and struck the older man as he attempted to escape.
The brutality didn’t end there. According to court documents, Ebert allegedly returned to the scene while Yates lay injured, shouting that the victim “deserved it.” Yates claims Ebert had been a source of escalating problems for his family since his departure from the band.
Turnstile released a statement revealing they severed ties with Ebert four years ago due to a “consistent pattern of harmful behavior,” ultimately drawing a line when he began issuing violent threats. The band emphasized the severity of the situation, noting their former colleague inflicted “severe physical trauma.”
Ebert was arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault. During a bond hearing, he claimed Yates was a “maniac” who initiated the conflict by throwing a rock. However, prosecutors argue the surveillance footage clearly demonstrates a deliberate and “targeted attack.”
Despite the horrific ordeal, Yates underwent successful surgery and is currently recovering. Turnstile expressed hope for his full recovery and requested privacy during this difficult time, stating they “have no language left for Brady.”
The incident underscores a disturbing escalation of conflict, transforming a fractured professional relationship into a violent act with devastating consequences. The community is left reeling, grappling with the shock of this alleged crime.
