25-year-old accused of killing girlfriend in SF home out on bail: ‘Random and horrible tragedy’

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A week after the fatal shooting of his 22-year-old girlfriend, Samantha Emge, at their San Francisco Sunset District home, 25-year-old Nation Wood was in court on Wednesday.

“He is on electronic monitoring. His family posted bail. No weapons consent to warrant search and work with pre-trial services. All that he is going to do,” said Paula Canny, Wood’s attorney.

Emge’s parents and Nation Wood’s dad were present. Wood appeared on Zoom from a hospital mental health unit. His attorney said he was admitted after posting $300,000 bail and is currently under psychiatric evaluation.

“We don’t want to further compound this horrible tragedy by him ending his own life- which is what I think he wants to do now,” said Canny.

Samantha Emge and Nation Wood graduated from San Francisco State University in 2025. According to her LinkedIn profile, she worked as a design assistant at an Interior Design studio in the city. They declined to comment. Wood was planning to serve in the National Guard.

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“It’s such a random and horrible tragedy,” said Canny.

It’s still unclear what happened inside the Sunset home Tuesday, March 24. According to Wood’s attorney, the couple, who just moved in together, had finished their first meal in the home. Shortly afterwards, a bullet went through the wall and struck Samantha Emge as she showered.

It was 10:43 p.m. when SFPD said “officers located an adult female victim suffering from a gunshot wound and rendered aid.” Emge died at the hospital.

Wood was charged with involuntary manslaughter. San Francisco’s District Attorney Brooke Jenkins spoke to us after Wednesday’s court appearance

“Given the charge of involuntary manslaughter and given the fact that at this time this a very fresh investigation into the facts. The only information that we have is that this conduct or the death was not intentional and I’m not surprised that he was released,” said DA Jenkins.

Emge’s relative said the family is not available to speak at this time. Wood’s next court appearance is set for April 15.