An art class turns violent at Mayfield High School in Las Cruces Wednesday just before noon. According to school officials, some sort of argument between twomale students turned violent when one student, a sophomore, pulled a knife used in art class on a senior, stabbing him in the torso area.

The victim was airlifted from the school to Thomason Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The alleged student who stabbed him was taken into police custody.

It didn't take long for word to spread around school.

Rikki Barrio who is a sophomore told KFOX what he heard:"I heard the guy that got stabbed. He was kinda pushing, him calling him names, then the guy who did the stabbing said, 'you better stop or I am going to stab you' and I guess he stabbed him."

Rikki's mom, Karen Barrio, heard what happened when she came to pick up her son.

Jonathan Whygles was walking to class when he told KFOX that what happened at his high school earlier today shook him up.

"I feel a little scared of the stabbing and I am just frightened right now," Whygles said.

The incident raises questions about whether or not having tools like an exacto knife should be banned from classrooms.

Representatives from the school district say taking away art tools from the students is not the answer.

"Those are tools that kids need in those particular classes. Instead of taking away potential objects that could be used as weapons we need to educate kids about what is appropriate and how to control anger," said Jo Galvan, the spokesperson for the Las Cruces School District.

Parents say what happened at Mayfield is just a sign of the times.

"What happened to back in the day when you go and beat somebody up? Now it is you go after them to kill them, or stab them or shoot them. It is awful, so awful," Karen Barrio said.

The Las Cruces Police Department said the student responsible for the stabbing is 15-years-old and was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and is being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center.