U2 and Ed Sheeran have canceled concerts planned for St. Louis, Missouri (USA) this weekend over security concerns as the city faces violent protests following the acquittal of a former white police officer in the shooting death of a black man.

Promoter Live Nation and U2 wrote in a statement that the St. Louis Police Department would not be able to provide the “standard protection for our audience as would be expected for an event of this size” for the planned Saturday (September 16) concert. 

U2's show was to be held at St. Louis' 70,000-capacity Dome at America's Center, while Sheeran was booked for Scottrade Center on Sunday night (September 17). Fans who purchased tickets to the concerts will be issued refunds.

Violent protests broke out Friday (September 15) after Jason Stockley was found not guilty of first-degree murder and armed criminal action, the Associated Press reports. On December 20, 2011, the then-police officer shot 24-year-old Lamar Smith five times after a high-speed chase and crash. Thirty-two people were reportedly arrested in the protests Friday, and 10 officers had been injured.

Source: Billboard