Police divers are searching a pond for a weapon in connection with the murder of a well-known basketball player in Halifax last year.

Police responded to the 6900 block of Cook Avenue before 8 p.m. on April 17, 2016. Officers found the body of 29-year-old Tyler Bradley Richards inside the home.

An autopsy was conducted and his death was ruled a homicide.

Police say they previously found evidence directly related to Richards’ murder in a wooded area near Red Bridge Pond in Dartmouth. Police say that led them to Thursday’s search.

Investigators and police divers are on scene at the pond, searching for a weapon possibly related to the case. Police say they won’t be disclosing any details about the weapon.

"We do believe that there are people in the community that have information about Tyler's homicide. We would ask that they would come forward," says Const. Dianne Penfound of Halifax Regional Police.   

Residents tell CTV News divers have been searching the pond since 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

"I thought they were just practicing, but some dude came by and say they're actually looking for evidence," says resident Robert Elliott.

Investigators are also searching a heavily-wooded area on the other side of the pond. Police confirm nothing was found Thursday in the pond, but dredging conditions were not ideal.

"It's pretty swampish. It's about five degrees in temperature, it's about zero visibility and the diver’s only working at about a half-metre at a time," says Sgt. Ross Burt of Halifax Regional Police. 

Police say they are still excited about the recent development.

“We're hoping that this will lead to more information and hopefully a charge," says COnst. Penfound.

Richards played basketball at St. Francis Xavier University from 2004 to 2009 and went on to play for the former Halifax Rainmen.

His homicide is part of the province’s Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes program, which offers up to $150,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in certain cases.

Police say Thursday’s search ended because of the weather. Divers will return to the Red Bridge Pond area to further the investigation.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Suzette Belliveau.