Norwich – Police Chief Louis Fusaro sent out an urgent plea Thursday for the public's help in solving Wednesday's early morning murder of a young mother.

Fusaro said a heavyset black male, approximately six feet tall, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt or jacket was seen in the area of 6 East Baltic St. around the time of the slaying of Jaclyn Wirth, a 26-year-old who was gunned down inside her Mohegan Commons apartment around 1:42 a.m. Wednesday. Her two young children, 2- and 7-years-old, were home at the time, Fusaro said, and "left motherless."

"This certainly was no accident and was a horrific and vicious crime," Fusaro said. "We deal with disturbing situations all the time but this vicious attack has affected each of us."

Fusaro said several 911 calls were made reporting several shots fired, including one by Wirth herself. During her call, a child could be heard in the background, Fusaro said.

Fusaro said the 911 tape would not be released to the press, calling it "solid evidence."

Fusaro said Wirth was conscious when police arrived on scene. She was transported to the William W. Backus Hospital, Fusaro said, where she died of multiple gunshot wounds.

"We need help, help from our public to solve this crime," Fusaro said. "Anybody who has even the smallest bit of information, we are imploring these people to come forward."

Fusaro said police do not have a motive, but that it was not a random act.