AP photo

Gov. Tim Kaine (left) talks with general surgeon Dr. Randy Lester at Montgomery Regional Hospital on Wednesday. Eight students wounded during Monday’s shooting remain hospitalized there.

Gov. Tim Kaine visited Wednesday with survivors of the shootings at Virginia Tech.

Kaine also made statements during a day in which police responded to three separate incidents. Officers outfitted in SWAT gear stormed Tech's Burruss Hall on Wednesday morning after a security threat. The Montgomery County Courthouse was evacuated and police blocked streets because of what turned out to be a malfunctioning drink machine. Another brace of police were seen, guns drawn, on top of Christiansburg High School. Why the police were on top of the school was unclear Wednesday.

The governor said he wasn't surprised. People should expect dramatic police responses for a while, he said.

"I think there's going to be a time when the pendulum swings back to center," Kaine said.

What he really wanted to talk about Wednesday were the survivors he met that morning.

"Most of them were sitting up in bed smiling," Kaine said. "A few of them walked for the first time today."

They looked weak and drawn, but all had big smiles, he said. "I think people are getting along on adrenaline and pain killers and still trying to figure it out."

The students praised the doctors and hospital staff who have cared for them, and expressed concern and sympathy for other victims and their families.

"They didn't want to talk about themselves very much," Kaine said.

Anne Holton, Kaine's wife, said that when patients did talk about themselves, they were looking ahead to discharge dates and graduation and, in one case, a sister's wedding this weekend.

"You wouldn't believe how much Hokie spirit is in there," Holton said.

Kaine said one wounded student's younger sister was in the room when he visited. She plans to attend Tech in the fall.

Eight students remain hospitalized at Blacksburg's Montgomery County Regional Hospital, where the governor visited. They are all in stable condition. Five are in intensive care.

Kaine also visited Carilion New River Valley Medical Center in Radford, where three victims are in good condition.

Another student is at Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem in stable condition. The hospital expects that he'll be discharged soon.

One victim remains at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in serious condition. Another victim has been transferred from Roanoke Memorial to another facility, Carilion spokesman Eric Earnhardt said.