Vice President JD Vance became the center of attention during a speech in Concord, North Carolina, when he invited a young student on stage after learning the teen had skipped school to hear him speak. The moment shifted the tone of the event from policy discussions to an unexpected lighthearted exchange.

During his address, Vance emphasized the Trump administration’s focus on public safety and criticized Democratic policies for their perceived role in rising crime rates. However, the conversation took a playful turn when a student named Henry approached the podium. Instead of asking about legislation or political issues, Henry admitted he had skipped school to attend the event.

“I skipped school today. I was wondering if I could get a picture with you?” Henry asked. Vance and his team laughed at the confession before inviting the teen onstage for a selfie. “Well, I guess you gotta have some excuse to skip school, so I might as well get a photo with Henry,” Vance said, quipping that he hoped future questions would be as simple.

The incident occurred amid broader discussions about public safety measures in North Carolina. Vance later addressed the brutal killing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed to death on a commuter train in August. He described the footage of her attack as “gruesome” and expressed concern over the “evil place that exists” behind such violence.

North Carolina legislators had recently passed “Iryna’s Law,” a bill aimed at strengthening criminal justice protocols by enabling judges to detain suspects with histories of mental illness or criminal behavior. The measure also includes provisions to restart executions in the state.