Ex-Biden staffer Nation Wood said he accidentally shot girlfriend in shower, charged with death

An ex-security staffer for President Joe Biden has been charged with killing his girlfriend in San Francisco, claiming it was a horrific accident. The accused, Nation Wood, 25, was arrested a day after allegedly shooting and killing Samantha Emge, 22, a recent graduate of San Francisco State University, at their home in the Sunset District.

Wood, who worked as a part-time security staffer with Biden’s White House Secret Service team from 2023 to 2025, stated on his LinkedIn profile. A photo on his profile shows him smiling with former Vice President Kamala Harris in front of a presidential jet.

According to reports from The San Francisco Standard, Wood told police that he accidentally shot Emge through the wall of their apartment while she was showering. He was “dry-firing” his weapon and did not realize it was loaded when the bullet pierced the wall and struck Emge.

Dry firing is a common practice of pulling the trigger on an unloaded firearm to simulate shooting without live rounds. Wood has been charged with involuntary manslaughter for the death of Emge, with prosecutors believing the killing was unintentional and without malice. If convicted, he faces up to four years in state prison.

Emge was shot and killed at their apartment near Ocean Beach in San Francisco, and despite efforts to save her, she succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. Wood was booked at San Francisco County Jail and arraigned, with bail set at $300,000 and required to wear an electronic monitoring device upon release.

He has since been released from custody and is scheduled for his next hearing. Wood’s LinkedIn profile identifies him as an “independent pre-event site security advisor” and a political science and government major at SFSU.

Emge, who worked in interior design, had a close relationship with Wood, as seen on her Instagram account. The couple’s posts showed them enjoying various activities together, including a trip to Yosemite. Friends of Emge expressed their grief and disbelief over her tragic death, with some condemning Wood for his actions.

The case has shocked the community and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident. As the legal proceedings continue, the families and friends of both the victim and the accused are left to grapple with the aftermath of this tragic event.