NEW: Ex-Biden Staffer Charged In San Francisco Killing

Nation Wood, 25, a former advance security staffer who provided support to the Biden administration’s White House operations, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 22-year-old Samantha Katherine Emge.

The incident occurred on the evening of March 24 at a residence in San Francisco’s Sunset District. According to the San Francisco Police Department, officers responded to the home at approximately 10:43 p.m. following reports of a shooting.

Upon arrival, they found Emge suffering from a gunshot wound. She was immediately transported to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Homicide investigators developed probable cause and arrested Wood early the following morning. He was booked into San Francisco County Jail on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter.

Court records indicate that Wood pleaded not guilty to the charge during his arraignment on March 27, according to a report from local outlet KNTV. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Christopher Hu set bail at $300,000.

Wood’s public defender, Doug Welch, described the incident as a “horrific accident” and stated that his client would cooperate fully with the legal process.

A source familiar with the investigation told KNTV that Wood informed police he had been dry-firing a handgun inside the apartment and did not realize it was loaded. The bullet reportedly traveled through a wall and struck Emge while she was in the bathroom.

San Francisco Supervisor Alan Wong, whose district includes the area, noted that early information suggested the shooting was not intentional in a statement to the San Francisco Standard.

Emge, a 2025 graduate of San Francisco State University with a degree in interior design, had been working at a design firm in the city. She and Wood appeared to have been in a relationship and had traveled together to Yosemite National Park this past June.

Wood also attended San Francisco State University, where he studied political science and government.

Photo: Samantha Emge via Instagram

On his LinkedIn profile, he described himself as an independent pre-event site security advisor. From November 2023 to July 2025, he served as advance staff for the White House, with whom he conducted external advisory site security assessments for events with VIP attendance. This role involved site walkthroughs and coordination alongside U.S. Secret Service personnel for senior government officials, according to a report form the New York Post.

A Secret Service spokesman confirmed that Wood was never a direct employee of the agency.

In 2024, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit hosted in San Francisco, Wood participated in security support for a visit by then-Vice President Kamala Harris. He posted a photograph on LinkedIn showing himself, along with other staff members, posing with Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, on the tarmac in front of a presidential jet.

Photo: Nation Wood via LinkedIn

The image was accompanied by a caption expressing gratitude for the opportunity to take part in the vice president’s trip.

The case remains under investigation by the San Francisco Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors have described the charge as involving the killing of Emge “without malice.”

Wood remains in custody pending further proceedings as of this report.

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