AUSTINTOWN, Ohio -

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 nur

See Full Page