Alarming Incident: Former SJSU Volleyball Coach Melissa Batie-Smoose’s Residence Shot at with Pellet Gun

EXCLUSIVE: The home of Melissa Batie-Smoose, former assistant volleyball coach at San Jose State University, was struck by projectiles fired from a pellet gun late Monday evening in Scotts Valley, California. Both Batie-Smoose and local law enforcement officials confirmed the incident to Fox News Digital.

The Scotts Valley Police Department, led by Captain Scott Garner, identified the weapon as a pellet gun, classifying the event as an act of vandalism. Fortunately, no injuries occurred, and authorities have yet to identify any suspects or discern a motive. The investigation remains ongoing.

“We are in the process of interviewing neighbors to gather more information,” Garner stated. He emphasized the challenge due to a lack of surveillance cameras and concrete leads at this stage. “Currently, we’re reaching out to nearby residents to see if anyone has seen or heard anything relevant.”

Batie-Smoose’s contract with San Jose State concluded on January 31, following her suspension from the program in November. The coach previously filed a Title IX complaint against the university concerning matters related to a transgender volleyball player, Blaire Fleming. Additionally, Batie-Smoose is currently engaged in legal proceedings against both SJSU and the Mountain West Conference regarding the same issues.

Authorities reported that there is no established connection between the recent shooting incident and Batie-Smoose’s legal complaints or her departure from the volleyball program. Nevertheless, Batie-Smoose believes this incident was a direct attack linked to her outspoken views.

“I absolutely think I was targeted,” Batie-Smoose explained in an interview. “This feels like more than just a coincidence. In all the years I’ve lived here, I’ve never experienced anything like this, and my neighbors, many of whom have lived here over a decade, have never encountered anything similar either.”

The unsettling event occurred while Batie-Smoose participated in a virtual meeting with members of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS). She was discussing her ongoing legal battle along with NCAA policies on gender eligibility when she heard a loud noise that sounded like breaking glass.

“Initially, I was confused about the sound,” she recalled. “Once I realized what was happening, I glanced toward the window and saw a bullet hole.”

In a panic, Batie-Smoose crouched behind her couch and called her husband, urging him to contact the police. The shot had pierced the window facing her backyard.

“Police informed me that the shot likely came from the street behind my house,” she added, noting that several neighbors were away during the incident.

Upon learning that the police classified the occurrence as vandalism due to the use of a pellet gun, Batie-Smoose expressed her disbelief. “They consider it vandalism simply because it wasn’t fired from a traditional firearm? You still face a danger. It makes no sense. A projectile can inflict harm regardless of its classification.”

Previously, Batie-Smoose has faced vitriolic backlash through hostile emails regarding her views on Fleming and the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. She has also described confrontations with individuals opposed to her stance both in person and online.

“People in the local community recognize who I am, and I am advocating for women’s sports in a climate that is not entirely supportive,” she reflected. “I genuinely believe this was a targeted act because of my advocacy work.”

She revealed that coaches and players involved with the SJSU volleyball program are aware of her address. Although she joined the program in 2023, she suspects that individuals outside the volleyball circle may have discovered her personal information through various means.

“In today’s world, it’s alarmingly easy for someone to find your information if they really want to,” she warned. “While I haven’t publicly shared my address, it isn’t impossible for someone to uncover it with a little effort.”

Due to the ongoing investigation, Batie-Smoose has temporarily vacated her residence. Throughout the process, she has used her platform on Fox News to advocate for the protection of women’s sports amid the turmoil surrounding San Jose State University.

Batie-Smoose was suspended from her coaching position on November 2 after submitting her Title IX complaint. Her allegations included claims that Fleming had colluded with a competitor to orchestrate a physical confrontation during a match against Colorado State.

The university assigned regular police protection to the volleyball team throughout the season due to rising safety concerns. Notably, one incident involved player Brooke Slusser receiving a warning about a potential threat to her safety.

Additionally, Batie-Smoose and Slusser have both accused Fleming of conspiring with Colorado State player Malaya Jones to gain a competitive edge, detailing a plan that allegedly involved a targeted physical strike during their match.

The investigation into these claims included interviews with various coaches and student-athletes from both San Jose State and Colorado State. However, the specifics regarding individual interviews have not been disclosed, with the Mountain West Conference declining to elaborate when approached by Fox News Digital.

Slusser’s attorney, Bill Bock, has criticized the investigation, claiming it was riddled with biases and inadequate in its execution. Bock has publicly demanded the conference release all documentation pertaining to its investigation, asserting that it was neither thorough nor impartial.

Currently, San Jose State University is also under scrutiny from the Department of Education regarding possible Title IX violations during Fleming’s involvement with the team. University President Cynthia Teniente-Matson has expressed readiness to cooperate fully with the federal investigation.

Efforts to obtain a statement from San Jose State regarding the attack on Batie-Smoose’s residence have so far been unacknowledged.

For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Fox News Digital.