Southgate Schools make security changes following suicide

Backpacks searched, no backpacks allowed at school

SOUTHGATE, Mich. – The Southgate School District is quickly making security changes following Thursday's suicide of 13-year-old Tyler Nichols who shot and killed himself in the bathroom of Davidson Middle School.

WATCH: Students struggle to understand school suicide

Teachers will search backpacks. Student will have to carry books outside of a bag. Wearing bulky clothes is banned.

Schools across the area are making some of the same changes in hopes of avoiding another young life getting taken away too soon.

Remembering Tyler

More than 400 students, family and friends crowded around Southgate Anderson High school Thursday night in honor of Tyler Nichols.

The mourners did a lap around the school to honor Tyler before gathering on the front lawn of the high school for a prayer. Soon after the prayer was complete, Amber Sorich, Nichols' sister, came forward to thank everyone for showing their support.

More: Student commits suicide at Southgate's Davidson Middle School

"I just want to thank everyone for supporting us and being there for us during this tragedy," Sorich told the crowd.

The entire education community in Southgate is heartsick over what has happened. Fellow middle school students can't understand why Nichols felt so isolated and so depressed.