Harris Co. DA's Office reviewing cases involving former HPD officer following racist remarks video

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Harris County District Attorney's Office said it has begun reviewing every case involving former Houston police officer Ashley Gonzalez after officials said videos surfaced online of Gonzalez making racist remarks regarding African Americans.

The video above is from a previous story.

According to the District Attorney's office, its Conviction Integrity Chief has "already begun the thorough, analytical process of reviewing every case" involving Gonzalez while she served as a police officer.

"Racism is abhorrent; the fact we have to lead the statement with this is disgraceful," the District Attorney's office said in a statement. "We take seriously our ethical obligation to notify defense attorneys regarding [Gonzalez's] discipline affecting open cases."

PREVIOUS STORY: HPD officer fired following investigation into video of racist remarks on Instagram profile

Gonzalez was fired on Friday after several videos surfaced online from an Instagram profile. Authorities said the video depicted Gonzalez making offensive comments and using a racial slur regarding African Americans.

In another video, Gonzalez is heard saying that she used her role as a law enforcement officer to target African Americans, according to officials.

The Houston Police Department said it investigated the videos, which were initially shared with a limited audience through Instagram's 'Close Friends' feature, but later circulated more widely.

In a press release on Friday, HPD said that Gonzalez is no longer an employee of the department.

"The behavior exhibited by Ashley Gonzalez was abhorrent, disgusting, and entirely unacceptable," Chief J. Noe Diaz, Jr said in the release. "It is deeply disturbing and has no place in law enforcement or in our community."

ORIGINAL REPORT: Houston police officer relieved of duty after racist videos surface, internal investigation underway

The Houston Public Information Unit of HPD said the department referred the case to Internal Affairs.

The mayor of Houston, John Whitmire, sent out a statement on Friday, condemning the videos and urging all Houstonians to respect each other:

"The comments in the video recorded by former Houston Police Officer Ashley Gonzalez are outrageous and reprehensible. I was shocked and deeply disappointed to hear a Houston police officer use such foul and offensive language. Her actions do not reflect the values of our city or the Houston Police Department, nor the standards we expect from those sworn to serve and protect our community. Let me be clear: this behavior is unacceptable. I applaud HPD Chief Diaz for suspending Gonzalez when the department became aware of the video and firing her as soon as the state civil service process allowed. Let this incident serve as a warning to all City of Houston employees. There is zero tolerance for racism in my administration, and if you see it, report it immediately. I ask all Houstonians to rededicate ourselves to human rights and respect for others."

Gonzalez was employed by the department since January 2024 and was assigned to the South Gessner Patrol Division.