Concert attendees gathered in Gage Park on a busy Sunday night were left stunned after multiple Hamilton police cars ripped through the park on a high-speed manhunt.

Police confirmed that officers were called in around around 8 p.m. Sunday after receiving information that a wanted suspect was seen in the park.

The frantic chase happened when dozens of young children and pets were nearby. An estimated 600 to 700 people were gathered there for the Seven Sundays in Gage Park summer festival.

Police say the suspect, a 24-year-old man, was wanted on outstanding warrants related to domestic violence charges.

The incident took place near the bandshell area of Gage Park, which was playing host to a student showcase concert at the time, for the classical academy ensemble Spleit Strings Orchestra.

People in attendance were concerned at the danger the chase posed.

What the hell, <a href="https://twitter.com/HamiltonPolice">@hamiltonpolice</a>! Police car speeds through busy Bandshell Area of Gage park?! Kids, dogs, families?! UNREAL! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hamont?src=hash">#hamont</a> —@rudyspaletas

"The first thing that went through my mind was, 'What on earth are they doing?'" said organizer Tim Potocic, who was nearby when the pursuit took place.

He described at least one police cruiser speeding quite "recklessly" in the proximity of children, and said it came "too close."

"Obviously the officers were using their best judgement in trying to cut the assailant off, but to me it just seemed excessive," said Potocic.

"Even if we didn't have a concert running, there would've been hundreds of people in the park. You just don't expect a car to come screaming through the park."

Man was not armed

Police officials told CBC News that the suspect was not armed and wasn't a danger to people in the immediate area, but did present safety concerns to specific members of the community.

"(The suspect) has been outstanding for several months, actively evading police. We had an opportunity to make an arrest for somebody who is showing police he's not willing to turn himself in," said police spokesperson Const. Jerome Stewart.

The man was ultimately arrested around a nearby resident's backyard, and appeared in court Monday morning.

Stewart said the number of units responding to the incident was due to the need to arrest the man when the opportunity arose.

"He proceeded to run from the police, which is why there were plainclothes officers as well as uniform cars in Gage Park after a short foot pursuit," said acting Staff Sgt. Greg Jackson.

Police say response was justified

Stewart said the police response to the situation was justified, but also said that a pursuit that would cause alarm in the community was "not in their intention."

"We're not here to put public safety at risk at all. That's not our thing. We have to weigh it out, and I'm sure the efforts were made to secure him (immediately)," he said.

Pretty shocking to see speeding cars across the lawn as little kids and dogs and people are hanging out. <a href="https://twitter.com/HamiltonPolice">@Hamiltonpolice</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hamont?src=hash">#hamont</a> —@kellyrbennett

"Ultimately we are trained and officers are made aware of the safety concerns of people, and on the way to make an arrest, we will not jeopardize the safety of others."

Officers in pursuit on foot would have followed standard protocol and called for backup in the form of vehicles nearby, he added.

"There have been numerous efforts by the police on a shift-per-shift basis to arrest this person," Cst. Stewart explained, adding that near daily efforts had been made to locate him through friends and family and last known whereabouts.

"His classification as a wanted party ... is at the highest level. So we are not going to stop on this one; it's one of the ones where you have to make an arrest."