§ 1983 for failing to enforce a restraining order, which had led to the murders of a woman's three children by her estranged husband.

[1] This decision affirmed the controversial principle that state and local government officials have no affirmative duty to protect the public from harm it did not create, a similar ruling made in DeShaney v. Winnebago County which involves Child Protective Services (called the Department of Social Services in the case) failing to protect a child from a violent parent.

[3][4][5] During divorce proceedings, Jessica Lenahan-Gonzales, a resident of Castle Rock, Colorado, obtained a permanent restraining order against her husband Simon, who had been stalking her, on June 4, 1999, requiring him to remain at least 100 yards (91 m) from her and her four children (son Jesse, who is not Simon's biological child, and daughters Rebecca, Katheryn, and Leslie) except during specified visitation time.

At approximately 3:20 am on June 23, Simon appeared at the Castle Rock police station and was killed in a shoot-out with the officers.

A search of his vehicle revealed the dead bodies of the three daughters, who were determined to have been shot and killed some time prior to arrival at the police station.