Former SJSU volleyball coach Melissa Batie-Smoose’s home was vandalized with a pellet gun, police say

Former San Jose State University assistant volleyball coach Melissa Batie-Smoose experienced a frightening incident on Monday night when her home in Scotts Valley, California, was shot at with a pellet gun. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Batie-Smoose and local police confirmed that the weapon used was indeed a pellet gun, and the incident is being investigated as an act of vandalism. Fortunately, nobody was harmed, and no suspect or motive has been determined at this time.

Scotts Valley Police Department Captain Scott Garner stated that the investigation is ongoing, and officers are following up with neighbors to gather more information. Despite the lack of leads or surveillance footage, the police are determined to do their due diligence in finding out more about the incident.

Batie-Smoose’s contract with San Jose State University was not renewed after she was suspended from the program in November. The suspension came following a Title IX complaint she filed against the program regarding a situation involving transgender volleyball player Blaire Fleming. Batie-Smoose is also a plaintiff in a lawsuit against SJSU and the Mountain West Conference, along with 11 conference players, related to the situation with Fleming.

Although no direct link has been established between Monday night’s incident and Batie-Smoose’s legal battles with SJSU, she believes she was targeted. During the incident, Batie-Smoose was in a virtual meeting with members of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports when she heard glass breaking in the background. The pellet had been shot at the window facing her backyard.

Batie-Smoose expressed concern over the police classifying the incident as vandalism due to the weapon used, emphasizing that any object with such force can cause harm. She also mentioned receiving hostile emails and facing confrontations in person over her stance on Fleming and transgender inclusion in women’s sports.

San Jose State University released a statement expressing concern over the incident and hoping for a swift resolution by the police. Batie-Smoose has since left her home and is staying elsewhere while the investigation continues.

The incident adds another layer to the ongoing legal battles involving Batie-Smoose, SJSU, and the Mountain West Conference. The situation highlights the complex and contentious issues surrounding transgender inclusion in women’s sports, as well as the challenges faced by those who speak out against perceived injustices in the system.