Man Convicted of Attacking Girlfriend With Hatchet in National Park

Shenandoah National Park is known for its pristine mountain views. But last year, it was the site of an intense incident of domestic violence. The trial for the attacker ended this month, when a federal jury convicted a man of attacking his then-girlfriend at a campground within the Virginia park.

The man was convicted on two assault charges, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice told GearJunkie. Sentencing is scheduled for July 20.

What Happened

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia, Soufiane Bougria, 31, and his then-girlfriend were staying at Mathews Arm Campground in Shenandoah National Park on the night of Aug. 24, 2025.

Three witnesses who were also at the campground later stated that they “heard screaming, slamming, crying, choking, and what sounded to them like a gunshot.” One witness reported seeing the defendant physically grab the woman.

They said they heard “a male voice say, ‘I don’t care, I’ll do the max sentence’ and a female voice say, ‘I can’t believe you would threaten me with murder.’”

After hearing this, all three individuals independently called 911. National Park Service rangers later arrived on the scene. As they were speaking with witnesses, the rangers saw a car matching the witnesses’ description drive away. The rangers pursued and stopped the vehicle.

“When officers approached the vehicle, they observed Bougria driving and visibly intoxicated. He was shirtless, barefoot, and smelled of alcohol. In addition, Victim 1 was sitting in the passenger seat crying and screaming. She was holding a piece of clothing around her right arm in an effort to stop the bleeding from a gaping laceration on her right arm and wrist,” federal prosecutors said.

Suspect Claimed It Was an Accident

Bougria said that the woman had accidentally gotten cut with an axe. But officers also noticed blood in the suspect’s vehicle, as well as a smashed windshield, and footprints on the hood and windshield.

Emergency medical personnel arrived and transported the victim to a nearby hospital. Staff assessed that her injuries were severe, and transported her to a different medical center, where she had to undergo emergency surgery.

The next day, NPS rangers returned to the campsite in question and investigated the scene.

“They found a hatchet with blood spatter on the handle, blood throughout the campsite, pepper spray, shoes, and other personal belongings strewn around the campsite,” prosecutors said.

Bougria faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years for the assault.