PEARLAND, Texas -- A Wal-Mart employee is accused of stabbing a teenaged customer Wednesday night.

The incident happened at the store located at Dixie Farm Road at FM 518 around 10:15 p.m.

Pearland police said the 16-year-old victim showed up at the Wal-Mart looking for employee Ray Canales. He and Canales were apparently fighting over a girl.

Witnesses said the teen attacked 18-year-old Canales, who allegedly pulled out a pocketknife during the scuffle. The teen was stabbed five to seven times in the face and back.

The teen was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital by helicopter. He's in critical condition.

Canales was detained by an off-duty Houston police officer and a plain-clothed Pearland officer. He faces a charge of felony assault with a deadly weapon, and his bond was set at $40,000.

Pearland Police Department

Ray Elliot Canales

Wal-Mart would not comment on its employee weapons policy, but a spokeswoman said all employees undergo a background check before they are hired.