Police say the attack happened just after 9:30 pm at Grand Resort Apartments on Devonwood Drive at Meadows Avenue.
When officers arrived, they found Damond suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
"They attempted to provide lifesaving measures, but he was pronounced deceased on scene," Merced Police Lt. Jose Barajas explained.
No arrests have been made.
This is the city's sixth homicide of the year.
"It's definitely an uptick and above average of what we're used to," Lt. Barajas said.
The department ramped up its gang violence suppression unit back in January after a string of brutal crimes in the city, which led to 41 arrests that month.