Hunter Hayes has canceled a performance that was scheduled for St. Louis on Thursday (Nov. 20), citing concerns over Missouri Governor Jay Nixon declaring a state of emergency.

Hayes was booked to perform at Chaifetz Arena on Thursday night. His reps issued a statement explaining his cancellation.

“Out of respect for Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon’s declaration declaring a state of emergency in Missouri, Hunter Hayes’ Thursday, November 20 show at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis has been canceled,” the press release reads.

“Tickets will be reimbursed at the point of purchase. At this time, all other University related events at Saint Louis University this week are planned to go on as scheduled.”

Nixon declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard on Monday (Nov. 17) in anticipation of an impending grand jury decision over whether to file criminal charges against Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, who shot and killed an unarmed black teenager, Michael Brown, on Aug. 9. That decision is expected this week, and both protesters and law enforcement in the St. Louis suburb have been preparing for the possibility of trouble.

According to Time, Nixon announced that the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the St. Louis County Police Department and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will operate together as a “Unified Command” to keep the peace if the findings of the investigation incite more violence in Ferguson and St. Louis.

Hayes intends to reschedule his St. Louis performance for 2015.

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