Nation Wood, 25, a former security staffer for the Biden administration, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of his 22-year-old girlfriend, Samantha Emge, earlier this week in San Francisco’s Sunset District. Police said Emge suffered a gunshot wound at a home Tuesday evening and later died at a local hospital.

Wood’s role in the Biden administration, beginning in November 2023, included “external advisory site security assessments for events with VIP attendance,” according to a now-removed LinkedIn profile. He worked alongside the administration’s security teams for certain events and posted photos with Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff in front of a presidential jet. A spokesman later clarified that Wood was never employed directly by the Secret Service.

Authorities said the preliminary investigation suggests the shooting may have been accidental. Wood’s attorney, Doug Welch of the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, described the incident as “a horrific accident,” noting Wood remained at the scene, cooperated fully with police, and sought help for Emge immediately after the shooting.

At his arraignment Friday, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Christopher Hu set bail at $300,000, citing concerns Wood could be a flight risk. Wood had been scheduled to serve in the National Guard.

Emge was a graduate of San Francisco State University and worked in interior design. Social media posts show the couple together, including a November visit to Yosemite National Park. The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.