A man has been detained by police and charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of the rapper Takeoff.

The Grammy-nominated artist, 28, was shot and died last month in Houston, Texas, outside a bowling alley.

Although the singer was "an innocent bystander," Houston police claimed that the shooting was related to a game of dice.

Takeoff was the rap group Migos' youngest member, and his passing was lamented by admirers and musicians.

At a news conference on Friday, Houston Police revealed that they had captured Patrick Xavier Clark, 33, in custody using surveillance footage from the shooting's night of the occurrence.

“[Clark] was there on the scene and he was in possession of a weapon,” said Houston Police Chief Troy Finner.

He added that an investigation is still ongoing, and he has appealed for witnesses to come forward and share information with the police.

“Don’t let the fear paralyse you,” Chief Finner said in his appeal. “Step up and say something.”

Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston said he hopes the arrest will bring some comfort to the family of Takeoff.

He added that Takeoff was more than an entertainer, but also a “son, brother, cousin and a friend, and a mentor to those in the music industry”.

Takeoff, born Kirsnick Khari Ball, was one-third of the chart-topping Atlanta-based rap group Migos, who is known for several hits like Bad and Boujee and Stir Fry.

They were nominated for two Grammy Awards – one for best rap album and one for best rap performance – in 2018.

His death was met with an outpour of tributes from fans and musicians like Drake, Kid Cudi, Dave and Rick Ross, who remembered Takeoff as “young legend” and a pioneer of a distinct style of rapping known as the “Migos flow.”

The 28-year-old musician was one of three people shot outside a downtown bowling alley in Houston at 02:30 local time (07:30 GMT) on 1 November, after a dispute erupted at the end of a private party after a dice game.

Sgt. Michael Burrow with the Houston homicide division said on Friday that Takeoff was not involved in playing the dice game or the argument that took place outside the alley, and he was not armed.

“He was an innocent bystander,” Sgt. Burrow said.

Another man and a woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the shooting.

Cameron Joshua, 22, was also arrested in connection with the shooting on 22 November and charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon.