Jury Convicts Man for Brutal Attack at Shenandoah National Park Campground
HARRISONBURG, Va. — A federal jury has convicted a man of assaulting his girlfriend with a hatchet while camping in Shenandoah National Park.
According to court documents, trial testimony, and a U.S. Department of Justice media release. the couple was camping at Mathews Arm Campground (MP 22.1) on August 24, 2025.
Late that evening, multiple park visitors reported hearing a heated argument.
Witnesses from three separate campsites testified they heard screaming, slamming, crying and choking, as well as a sound they believed to be a gunshot.
One person reported seeing the man grab the woman.
Witnesses testified they heard a female voice say, “I can’t believe you would threaten me with murder.”
A male voice said, “I don’t care, I’ll do the max sentence.”
All three witnesses called 911.
National Park Service law enforcement rangers responded to the incident and encountered two of the witnesses at a nearby overlook.
While speaking with them, a vehicle matching the description of the subject’s vehicle drove past.
Rangers immediately initiated a pursuit and conducted a traffic stop.
The driver was identified as Soufiane Bougria, of Springfield.
Bougria, 31, was shirtless, barefoot and showed signs of intoxication.
Officers observed a female in the passenger seat, crying and screaming.
According to the report, she was holding clothing against a “gaping laceration” on her right arm and wrist in an attempt to stop bleeding.
The vehicle’s windshield was shattered, and large dirty footprints were visible on both the hood and windshield. “Blood and fatty tissue” were present inside of the vehicle.
Bougria told officers the victim’s injury was caused by an axe, but had been accidental.
The woman was transported to Winchester Medical Center, where she underwent emergency surgery.
Rangers returned to Bougria’s campsite early on August 25 and discovered pepper spray, shoes, personal items and blood throughout.
They also recovered a hatchet with blood spatter on the handle.
First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci U.S. made the conviction announcement.
The National Park Service is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally J. Sullivan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Browne are prosecuting the case for the United States.