The family of a 33-year-old Marine Corps veteran who took his own life inside St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital said they are preparing to take legal action against Mercy Health, claiming the hospital failed to keep him safe while he was in crisis.

Frederick “Ricky” Paul Howk III, of Austintown, went to the hospital last Thursday seeking mental health help, according to his sister, Ashley Macri.

Macri said her brother was admitted to a behavioral health unit designed to keep patients safe, but somehow managed to gain access to a security officer’s firearm and shoot himself.

“They put him in a secure behavioral health unit area,” Macri said, “A cop had come into the area for some reason and was socializing at the counter with his back to my brother’s bed and three nurses facing my brother’s bed. At that point, somehow my brother got out of the bed and got his gun out of the holster and ended up shooting himself.”

She said her brother was in a severe mental health crisis, suffering from bipolar disorder, PTSD, and psychosis, and alleges that safety protocols failed her brother.

“It shouldn’t have happened,” she said, “He should have been being watched. He should have had eyes on him at all times. There are no doors. He walked directly out of his room, straight to the desk where the cop was, and pulled the gun.”

She added that she has not heard from Mercy Health since the incident. 

“I’m very frustrated,” she said, “They haven’t talked to me. They haven’t told me anything." 

She said she found out about her brother's death by looking at his MyChart account, which she said is now locked. 

Macri added that her brother loved his two sons, ages 5 and 10, and would not have intentionally left them behind.

“This isn’t something he would have done if he was in the right state of mind,” she said, “He would not have done this to his boys.”

She said the family is now facing funeral expenses, legal costs and she's been traveling from Florida, where she lives, to handle her brother’s affairs.

They have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover costs and to support Howk’s children.

Macri said the family’s priority now is accountability.

“I want them to take accountability. I want them to improve their systems and make sure their protocols are being followed properly,” she said, “People shouldn’t be falling through the cracks like this.”

They said the funeral is expected to take place Friday or Saturday of next week and will also be streamed for those who cannot attend in person.

Mercy Health has declined to answer whether it intends to review security procedures in light of this breach.

On Thursday, the hospital told 21 News, to "ensure the privacy of those" they serve, they have "no further statement at this time," and continues to extend sympathy and support to the family.