Sask (where most of my relatives live) has a Pop of 1.174 million over 251,700 mi² (but mostly concentrated in the cities and towns of course).
While Caution is a Good idea, of course - don’t let strange men in your home, lock the doors and such- a couple of dudes doing random stabbing is Tuesday in many parts of America. Shelter in Place?
I suspect a drive would be safe, with some precautions.
The Mounties took a lot of flak a couple of years ago for not alerting the people of Nova Scotia about the active shooter, who ended up killing 22 and wounding 3, as well as setting several fires. I think the police are generally a lot more sensitive as a result.
Some friends coming to the game from the Melfort area got pulled over by the Mounties, because their truck is the same model and colour as the one the two guys are reported to be driving.
We normally walk part of the way, due to parking limitations.