Language Barrier May Have Led to Taser Incident Involving Newton Woman

Updated 4:30 p.m.

Nashua, NH, police say they had to use a Taser on a Newton, MA, woman yesterday while trying to arrest her at a mall, an incident that may have been the result of a language barrier.

Newton, Mass. resident Xiaojie Li was arrested Tuesday at the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua, NH, after she allegedly trespassed at the mall's Apple Store, New Hampshire's WMUR reported today.

According to the WMUR report, Xiaojie claims she cannot not speak English and didn't understand why the Apple Store called the police. 

Xiaojie told WMUR she was attempting to buy several iPhones for family in China. Apple employees informed her she was limited to just two, but she claims she spotted other customers buying more than two phones. The store then asked Xiaojie to leave and requested a no-trespass order. 

Xiaojie returned to the store on Tuesday and was asked to leave again. At that point, the store employees called police. 

A nearby shopper caught video of the Taser incident, which shows police arresting Xiaojie. Viewers can hear the apparent screams from Xiaojie as well as the buzzing of the Taser. 

For more information, read the full story on WMUR. 

Updated 4:30 p.m.: Nashua Police say the use of the Taser was warranted in the arrest of a Newton woman at a shopping mall this week.