CHICAGO -- A community gathering against violence took place Monday outside Crane High School, the site of the 16th violent death of a Chicago Public School student this school year.

Video: Crane Studends Rally Against Violence Images: Shooting Outside Crane High School

The march was in direct response to a Friday gang-related shooting just outside Crane. A crisis team was sent in Monday to help returning students and faculty deal with the tragedy.

Chicago police beefed up their presence at the school on Monday, trying to convince students it is safe to go to class. Some students who spoke with NBC5's Kim Vatis said they felt better knowing the extra officers were around, but they were still uneasy over the shooting.

DeVonte Smith, 15, was charged as an adult with first-degree murder and is being held without bond in connection with the shooting, which killed 18-year-old Ruben Ivy.

Another student was severely beaten at about the same time as the shooting. Police said both incidents were gang-related.

Shimanda Corbin, a Crane student, said violence like this is "common" at her school.

"It shouldn't be common because nothing like this should be happening, especially not at a high school," she said.

Robyn Sutton, a Northern Illinois University student on spring break, attended the march to support Crane students.

"We all need prayer and we all need help. So, I'm prepared to keep the kids uplifted and do all that I can," Sutton said.

Johnny Miller, the pastor of Mount Vernon Baptist Church, also said he was there to help the students.

"Our being here says to the children that you're not alone; we understand the fear that you have," Miller said.

However, some parents said the police presence is not enough. They said more parents need to get involved.

"I've seen more parents here today than I've seen all school year," said Tracy Byrd, the parent of a Crane student.

But Bob Fioretti, the local alderman, pointed his finger not at parents but at the criminal justice system.

"Sixteen kids in one year? I mean, this is unacceptable," Fioretti said. "It's a failure of both our criminal justice system and our juvenile justice system."

A counselor who also helped students after a fatal shooting at Orr High School said the latest death seems like too much.

"It's heavy on my heart," counselor Lynette Taylor said. "I wish that I could have been here to talk to somebody to make things better."

According to the Chicago Tribune, the number of violent CPS student deaths so far this year is strikingly similar to last year's tally. If the killings continue to keep pace with the 2006-2007 school year, they could approach that year's grim record of 27 slayings.