A former security guard for President Joe Biden has been charged in connection with the death of his girlfriend in San Francisco, claiming it was a tragic accident.
Nation Wood, 25, was taken into custody on Wednesday, just a day after being accused of fatally shooting Samantha Emge, a 22-year-old graduate of San Francisco State University, at an apartment complex in the Sunset district.
Wood’s LinkedIn profile indicates he served as a part-time security guard for the White House Secret Service starting in 2023.
The profile photo features Wood smiling alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris in front of Air Force One.
He reportedly told authorities he accidentally shot Emge while she was in the shower, claiming he was “dry firing” the gun and unaware it was loaded. The bullet struck through the wall and hit Emge, according to reports.
Dry firing refers to the practice of pulling the trigger on an unloaded gun to improve shooting skills without live ammo.
Wood faces a manslaughter charge, which suggests prosecutors believe the act wasn’t intentional. The district attorney’s indictment claims he killed Emge “without malice.” If found guilty, he could face up to four years in prison.
Police were called to the scene on Tuesday night and found Emge with gunshot wounds; she was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Wood has since been booked into the San Francisco County Jail, where he was being held on a $300,000 bail and is required to wear an electronic monitoring device if released.
After his release, he has a hearing scheduled for Wednesday. His LinkedIn describes him as an “independent pre-event site security advisor.”
It’s noted that he is majoring in political science and government at San Francisco State University, with plans to graduate in May 2024.
Emge had graduated from university the previous year, and her social media reflects moments spent with Wood, including a trip to Yosemite. Friends have expressed their sorrow, and some have directed anger towards Wood, stating comments like, “He doesn’t deserve you.”
