Former Biden White House Staffer Charged in Deadly San Francisco Shooting [WATCH]

Nation Wood, a 25-year-old former advance security staffer who supported White House operations under the Biden administration, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 22-year-old Samantha Katherine Emge following a shooting in San Francisco.

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

When officers arrived, they found Emge suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

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Investigators from the department’s homicide unit 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 show that Wood pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on March 27. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Christopher Hu set bail at $300,000, according to local outlet KNTV.

Wood’s public defender, Doug Welch, described the shooting as a “horrific accident” and said his client intends to cooperate with authorities throughout the legal process.

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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 the weapon was loaded.

According to that account, a bullet traveled through a wall and struck Emge while she was in the bathroom.

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San Francisco Supervisor Alan Wong, whose district includes the Sunset area, stated that early information suggested the shooting was not intentional, according to the San Francisco Standard.

Emge was a 2025 graduate of San Francisco State University, where she earned a degree in interior design.

She had been working at a design firm in San Francisco at the time of her death. Reports indicate that she and Wood were in a relationship and had traveled together to Yosemite National Park in June.

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

On his LinkedIn profile, Wood described his work as an independent pre-event site security advisor.

From November 2023 to July 2025, he served as advance staff for the White House, conducting external advisory site security assessments for events attended by VIPs.

The role included site walkthroughs and coordination with U.S. Secret Service personnel assigned to senior government officials, according to a report from the New York Post.

A spokesman for the U.S. Secret Service confirmed that Wood was not a direct employee of the agency.

During the 2024 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit held in San Francisco, Wood participated in security support for a visit by then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

He shared a photograph on LinkedIn showing himself and other staff members with Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, standing on the tarmac in front of a presidential aircraft.

The image included a caption expressing appreciation for the opportunity to assist with the vice president’s trip.

Prosecutors have described the charge against Wood as involving the killing of Emge “without malice.”

The case remains under investigation by the San Francisco Police Department and the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.

Wood remains in custody pending further court proceedings.

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