I'm sure that non-military persons would do this, too. There has been plenty of media coverage, and tons of youtube videos made available to any interested party. There are alot of really confused, fucked up people in the world.
I have to wonder tho, what made this guy capable of doing something like this. Was it the kind of father he himself had? Or was it the traumas he was exposed to in war? Today's perpetrator is often yesterday's victim, and undamaged people generally don't feel the need to torture others, especially the helpless. As horrific as what this guy did was, a moment to consider compassion for him as well is probably not uncalled for.
The Rev